least
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of LEAST
superlative form of
1little
:
smallest in amount or degree
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The least [=slightest] noise would startle her.
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I try to spend the least (amount of) time possible in the kitchen. = I try to spend the least possible (amount of) time in the kitchen.
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We finished without the least help from you. [=without any help from you]
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She hasn't shown the least sign of remorse. [=she hasn't shown any remorse]
not (in) the least bit
take/follow the path/line of least resistance
2
least
/ˈliːst/
noun
2
least
/ˈliːst/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of LEAST
the least
:
something of the lowest importance, strength, value, etc.
— often + of
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Any noise—even the (very) least—would startle her.
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That's the least of my worries/problems. [=I have more important worries/problems to deal with]
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We had many things to consider, not the least of which was the safety of our children. [=the safety of our children was very important]
at least
1
:
not less than a specified amount, level, etc.
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At least once a year, we visit our grandparents.
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We meet at least once a month. = We meet once a month at least.
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You must be at least 21 years of age to enter.
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He was at least six feet tall.
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He must have at least 300 CDs!
2
— used to say that something (such as a bad situation) could be or have been worse
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The weather was cold, but at least it didn't rain.
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I was tired and hungry, but at least I was free.
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We don't have much money, but at least we still have each other.
3
— used to indicate the smallest or easiest thing that someone can or should do
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Well, he could have at least apologized.
4
a
— used to indicate that the truth of a statement might change or has changed
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We're going to have a picnic, at least if it doesn't rain.
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I'm fine for now at least. [=I'm fine for now although I may not be fine later]
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He was unknown in the music world, at least until recently.
b
— used to indicate that the truth of a previous statement is not certain
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Her name is Sue, or at least I think it is.
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He is coming today. At least that's what he told me.
at the (very) least
— used to indicate the least thing that is true, acceptable, desirable, or certain to happen
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He wanted to win the race, or at the least, to finish second.
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It is, at the very least, an interesting book.
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It will change your life or, at the very least, teach you something new.
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At the very least, she deserves to be heard.
not (in) the least
:
not at all
:
not in any way or respect
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It did not interest me in the least. [=it did not interest me at all]
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He didn't enjoy it in the least.
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That joke was not in the least funny.
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We weren't in the least tired.
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I'm not the least worried.
the least (someone) can do
:
the smallest or easiest thing that someone can or should do
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The least he could do is tell me what happened.
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There's no need to thank me for my help. Considering all the help you've given me in the past, it was the least I could do. [=I do not deserve to be thanked for the small thing I did]
to say the least
— used to emphasize a statement
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She was not happy, to say the least. [=she was very unhappy]
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He is, to say the least, hopeful about the future. [=he is very hopeful about the future]
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To say the least, they were disappointed that their trip was canceled.
3
least
/ˈliːst/
adverb
3
least
/ˈliːst/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of LEAST
superlative form of
2little
:
in or to the smallest degree
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Who was the least at fault in the case?
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He asked me to help him when I least expected it.
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That was the least important of her reasons.
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That was the least interesting book I have ever read.
last but not least
least of all
:
especially not
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No one, least of all the children, wanted to go home early.
not least
formal
:
especially or particularly
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We had many things to consider, not least the safety of our children.
