# most

Pronunciation: say "MOHST" US /ˈmoʊst/, UK /ˈməʊst/

## Adverb

1. Used to form the superlative of adjectives and adverbs that do not take -est.
   - Simple: Used before a longer adjective or adverb to mean 'the … -est', as in 'the most important' or 'most clearly'.
   - _It was the most beautiful garden in the town._
   - _He spoke most clearly of all the speakers._
5. Adverb, superlative of much: to the greatest extent ('economists' most-used metric', 'the thing I miss most'). — superlative degree of much
   - Simple: To the greatest degree, as in 'the thing I miss most' or 'the most-used tool': the top form of much.
   - _The film that moved me most was the last one._
   - _She works hardest when it matters most._
6. To a great degree; highly or very, in formal or literary use.
   - Simple: Very, in a formal style, as in 'a most unusual gift'.
   - _It was a most enjoyable evening._
   - _I am most grateful for your help._
9. Almost, used before any, every or all. *(colloquial, US)*
   - Simple: Almost, in casual American speech, as in 'most every day'.
   - _Most everybody in town knew her._
   - _Most all of the guests had gone home by midnight._

## Determiner

2. Superlative of many: the majority of, more than half of, with no article ('winning was not important for most participants'). — superlative degree of many: the majority of; more than half of (construed without the definite article)
   - Simple: More than half of, as in 'most people': the top form of many.
   - _Most shops close at six._
   - _Most students at our school walk or ride a bike to class._
4. Superlative of much, the greatest amount of something, or the larger part of it ('who could collect the most money', 'most traffic comes this way'). — superlative degree of much.
   - Simple: The greatest amount, as in 'the most money', or the larger part, as in 'most traffic': the top form of much.
   - _She has the most patience of anyone I know._
   - _Most traffic comes through the north gate._
8. Used with the to mean the greatest number of, compared with every other person, group, or option, whether or not that number is a majority.
   - Simple: Used with the to mean a larger number than anyone or anything else has, even if not over half.
   - _With only 38 percent of the vote, her party still won the most seats._
   - _Of the five candidates, the youngest raised money from the most donors._

## Pronoun

3. More than half of a group's members, especially when referring to people.
   - Simple: The larger part of a group, used without a noun, as in 'most agree'.
   - _When the factory closed, most moved away to find work in other towns._
   - _The new rule pleased most, though not all._

## Noun

7. The greatest amount or the upper limit, used with the.
   - Simple: The greatest amount possible, as in 'the most I can pay'.
   - _That is the most we can do._
   - _It will take an hour at most._
10. A record-setting amount; a superlative claimed.
   - Simple: A record amount, as a countable noun, usually 'mosts'.
   - _The report lists the year's firsts and mosts._
   - _The town claims another most, the most churches per person in the state._

## Adjective

11. The greatest or the best; always with the and after be. *(dated)*
   - Simple: The greatest or the best, as in 'that's the most'.
   - _Your car is the most, man._
   - _He thought the new band was the most._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–8, 10–11** — This word comes from Middle English most, from Old English mǣst or māst, from Proto-Germanic *maistaz. It is related to Dutch meest, German meist, and Danish and Swedish mest, all meaning "most."
**Meaning 9** — This is a reduction of the word "almost."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/most (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).