Plus or minus
prepositional phrase
More or less than a number or amount.
The material should measure 10 meters, plus or minus a few centimeters.
Often appears as...
- plus or minus a few
- plus or minus some minutes
prepositional phrase
The possibility of variation in a result.
In our survey, there's a plus or minus 3% margin of error.
Often appears as...
- margin of error plus or minus
- plus or minus percentage error
Usage tips
Technical
prepositional phrase
More or less than a number or amount.
The material should measure 10 meters, plus or minus a few centimeters.
Often appears as...
- plus or minus a few
- plus or minus some minutes
prepositional phrase
The possibility of variation in a result.
In our survey, there's a plus or minus 3% margin of error.
Often appears as...
- margin of error plus or minus
- plus or minus percentage error
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Estimation Clue
Indicates rough measurement or estimate, not an exact number.
The room was 15 square meters, plus or minus.
Pro Tip 2/3Flexibility Allowed
Shows that there's some leeway or tolerance in the given value.
Please be there at 8 PM, plus or minus 10 minutes.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversational Use
Used informally to express a small variation might occur.
I'll need plus or minus five volunteers for this task.
Pro Tip 1/3Estimation Clue
Indicates rough measurement or estimate, not an exact number.
The room was 15 square meters, plus or minus.
Pro Tip 2/3Flexibility Allowed
Shows that there's some leeway or tolerance in the given value.
Please be there at 8 PM, plus or minus 10 minutes.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversational Use
Used informally to express a small variation might occur.
I'll need plus or minus five volunteers for this task.
Pro Tip 1/3Estimation Clue
Indicates rough measurement or estimate, not an exact number.
The room was 15 square meters, plus or minus.
Pro Tip 2/3Flexibility Allowed
Shows that there's some leeway or tolerance in the given value.
Please be there at 8 PM, plus or minus 10 minutes.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversational Use
Used informally to express a small variation might occur.
I'll need plus or minus five volunteers for this task.
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