Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - than

~1 strong conjunction 1 higher than/cheaper than etc used when comparing two things that are different to introduce the second thing  (The cost of the repairs was a lot cheaper than I thought.) 2 would rather/would sooner...than... used to say that you prefer one thing to another  (If it's alright by you I'd rather walk than go by car.) 3 hardly/scarcely/no sooner etc...than... used to say that something had only just happened when something else happened  (No sooner had I mailed the letter than I realized she'd changed address.) 4 informal except  (They left me with no option other than to resign.) ~2 prep 1 higher/more expensive than used when comparing two things that are different to introduce the second thing  (Miranda has always been more intelligent than her two brothers. | Richard's marrying a woman who's older than his own mother. | The new tax system will definitely affect some people more than others.) 2 more/less/fewer etc than used when comparing two different amounts, numbers etc to introduce the second amount or number  (The programme doesn't last any longer than an hour. | He's been unemployed for more than 18 months now. | It's a beautiful dress but it's much more than I can afford.)