-less

Meaning

Lacking (something); without (something). Added usually to a noun to form an adjective signifying a lack of that noun.

Synonyms

un-

non-

less

without

bereft of

deprived of

non-existing

a-

im-

devoid of

in-

lacking

Translations

-los

sense

غير

senza

sin

zonder

in-

-loos

sans

sem

in-

s-

dis-

-frei

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ləs/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: -les

Inherited from Old English: -lēas

Cognate with Scots: -less

Cognate with Western Frisian: -leas

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: -loos

Cognate with Dutch: -loos

Cognate with Low German: -los

Cognate with German: -los

Cognate with Danish: -løs

Cognate with Swedish: -lös

Cognate with Icelandic: -laus

In summary

From Middle English -les, -leas, from Old English -lēas (“-less”) (compare lēas (“devoid of, loose from, false”)), from Proto-West Germanic *-laus, from Proto-Germanic *-lausaz, from *lausaz (“loose”). (Not related to less, which derives from *laisiz, *laisizô.) Cognate with Scots -less, West Frisian -leas, Saterland Frisian -loos, Dutch -loos (“-less”), Low German -los, German -los, Danish -løs, Swedish -lös, Icelandic -laus. More at lease (“false”).