Their use has been extended to many other meanings, more or less analogous. Plus and minus are Latin terms meaning 'more' and 'less', respectively. The forms + and − are used in many countries around the world. Other designs include U+FB29 ﬩ HEBREW LETTER ALTERNATIVE PLUS SIGN for plus and U+2052 ⁒ COMMERCIAL MINUS SIGN for minus.

The minus–plus sign, ∓, is generally used in conjunction with the ± sign, in such expressions as x ± y ∓ z, which can be interpreted as meaning x + y − z or x − y + z (but not x + y + z or x − y − z). When an interpretation is chosen, ∓ always has the opposite sign to ±.

In the International Phonetic Alphabet, subscripted plus and minus signs are used as diacritics to indicate advanced or retracted articulations of speech sounds. The minus sign is also used as tone letter in the orthographies of Dan, Krumen, Karaboro, Mwan, Wan, Yaouré, Wè, Nyabwa, and Godié.

In US grading systems, the plus sign indicates a grade one level higher and the minus sign a grade lower. For example, B− ("B minus") is one grade lower than B. In some occasions, this is extended to two plus or minus signs (e.g., A++ being two grades higher than A). [citation needed]