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least

SayLEEST/list/UK/liːst/

5 meanings of least

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  1. 1
    minimum amountdeterminer
    The smallest amount or number of something.

    Like the smallest slice when a cake is shared.

    She has the least money of anyone in the group.

    He did the least work but took the most credit.

    UsageUsually the least. For things you can count, say the fewest: the fewest mistakes.

    Note
  2. 2
    lowest degreeadverbnegative
    Less than all others or less than at any other time, as in 'the least expensive'.

    Like being at the very bottom of a ranking.

    This is the least expensive option in the store.

    He was least worried about the test results.

    UsagePut it before a describing word: the least expensive. Or with a verb: the one I like least.

    Oppositemost

  3. 3
    at any rateprepositional phrasenonstandard
    A casual, shortened way of saying "at least."

    Our picnic got rained out. Least we had umbrellas.

    She didn't win, but least she finished the race.

    UsageUsually at the start: Least we tried. When you write, say at least.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    tiniestadjectivearchaic
    Superlative of little. An old-fashioned use meaning smallest in size, as in "the least sparrow."

    Even the least sparrow found shelter beneath the eaves.

    The least tern is the smallest tern that nests in North America.

  2. 5
    noun
    The smallest possible part of something, one that cannot be split any further.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of least apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2, 4

From an Old English word meaning "least," which was a shortened form and is related to the word "less."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Meaning 3

A shortened form of the phrase "at least."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact