least1 determiner, pronounleast2 adverb
leastleast1 /liːst/ ●●● S1 W1 determiner, pronoun 
Longman Language Activatorless than any other
· We were the least successful team in the competition.· Portugal would be my least favourite choice.· The people who are least able to afford healthcare are often the ones who need it most.· Air-conditioning is standard except on the least expensive model.· Which job would you least like to do?
the smallest amount or number of something the smallest amount of something: the least: · We decided to buy the one that cost the least.· Those who have been in the most danger have the least to say about it.· Of all the EU countries, Britain spends the least on higher education.· The least I would expect would be an apology (=I'd like more than just an apology).the least water/money/time etc: · After trials, we chose the engine that used the least fuel.· I was the youngest, so I always got the least pocket money.· We've selected recipes that take the least time to prepare.· Find a route that is likely to have the least traffic.· We thought this decision would produce the least harm and disruption to residents.
the smallest possible number or amount of something or the smallest number or amount that is allowed: · The minimum salary for this post is $25,000.· We need a minimum number of two staff members on duty at lunchtime.· Frank was moved to a minimum-security prison for good behaviour.minimum height/length/age/wage etc: · These workers are being paid less than the minimum wage.· The minimum age at which you can legally buy tobacco is 18. · The Police Department has reduced the minimum height requirement to encourage more women to join the force.reduce/keep something to a minimum (=make the amount or number of something as small as possible): · Interruptions should be kept to a minimum.· The library book stock has already been reduced to a minimum.· We want to keep the number of mistakes to a minimum.minimum of: · This will enable the patient to move with a minimum of discomfort.· The course takes a minimum of three years.· Even for local games, you have to pay a minimum of $45 per game.the minimum: · Five people in a group should be the minimum.bare minimum (=use this to emphasize how small the amount is): · A tiny crack in the tent allowed the bare minimum of light in.
the smallest number of something: · We plan to do the repairs in winter, when we have the fewest visitors.· Single men make the fewest complaints about women bosses.· Towns with the fewest amenities are usually the ones with the highest crime rates.· Young drivers under 25 have the highest number of accidents while those over 50 have the fewest.· In 1998, there were 71 homicides, the fewest since the 1950s.
use this about numbers, prices, wages, temperatures, or levels: · In the last election, he was the candidate who got the lowest number of votes.· People who drank the least coffee had the lowest level of blood pressure.· The lowest charge for a rented car is $30 a day.· Does the company offering the lowest price really offer the best value?the lowest for 6 months/in 15 years/since 2000 etc: · Interest rates are only 4%, the lowest for 25 years.· The infant mortality rate in Vietnam is now the lowest since 1997. · Overseas demand for corn is the lowest in 20 years.
to be at the lowest level the lowest level ever reached: be at an all-time low: · Exports of manufactured goods are now at an all-time low.· Morale at the company is at an all-time low, and staff are leaving in droves.sink to/fall to/reach an all-time low: · Ratings for the once-popular game show seem to have reached an all-time low.· The president's popularity has fallen to an all-time low.
the lowest level of success, hope, health etc: be at its/their lowest ebb: · Consumer confidence is at its lowest ebb since January.· With the company's fortunes at their lowest ebb for 25 years, lay-offs seem inevitable.something sinks/falls to its lowest ebb: · In the late 1980s, her career sank to its lowest ebb.· Relations with Washington have fallen to their lowest ebb.
the smallest amount that is allowed or possible the smallest amount or number of something: the least (that): · £20,000 is the least we could accept for a car of this type.· The least anyone around here works is about 50 hours per week.
the minimum number or amount is the smallest number or amount that is possible or allowed: · What is the minimum wage these days?· The minimum age to buy cigarettes is 18.
the least amount of something that is allowed within a range: · Age 3 is really the lower limit for teaching children to swim.lower limit of: · Deposits are subject to a lower limit of $400.
a number or level at which something begins to happen or to have an effect, especially the lowest number or level: · If the temperature falls below a particular threshold, a warning light comes on.· Under the proposal, those whose earnings were less than a $36,000 threshold would not have to pay taxes.
stronger expressions meaning not use this to emphasize that something is definitely not true: · She's not at all happy about the situation.· The children didn't seem to be at all frightened.· No, no, no, that's wrong. That's not what I meant at all.
formal use this when you want to say strongly that something is not true: · It is by no means certain that you'll get your money back.· It's difficult, but by no means impossible.· It's not clear by any means where the money is going to come from to fund this project.
also not a bit especially British use this to say strongly that something is not true, especially when you would expect it to be true: · You're not in the least sorry, are you?· My essay wasn't a bit like yours.· "Was she annoyed?" "Not a bit! She was delighted."fnot the least (bit): · Henry wasn't the least bit worried.
if something is in no way affected by something else, it is definitely not affected by it in any way: · This will in no way influence our original decision.· The damage is very slight and in no way reduces the value of the painting.
use this when something is completely untrue, impossible, different etc: · His arguments are not remotely convincing.· It was a stupid remark, and not remotely funny.· She didn't seem remotely interested in anything I had to say.
use this to emphasize that something is definitely not true, and if someone thinks it is true they are being a little stupid: · They only won 1-0 - hardly a great victory!· It's hardly surprising he's upset, considering the way you've treated him!· He's hardly a world chess champion - you should be able to beat him.· All these similarities could hardly be due to chance.
use this to say that someone is not good at something: · I occasionally put up a few shelves, but I'm not exactly the world's greatest handyman.
an informal expression meaning to not have the skills, qualities etc of the person or type of person that you have mentioned: · Of course, I'm no expert but that wall really looks like it's leaning over.· Stephanie knows what she's doing. She's no fool.· He's quite a bright boy I suppose, but he's no Albert Einstein.
use this to emphasize strongly that something is not possible, likely, true etc: · I can't see any use in us talking about that idea at all - it's simply not practical.· For as long as she could remember she'd just never been interested in marriage and children.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
I’m not in the least bit interested in whose fault it is. You could at least say that you’re sorry. We’ve cleaned it all up, or at least most of it.
(=not less than and probably much more than) It would cost $1 million at the very least.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It would cost $1 million at the very least. I’m not in the least bit interested in whose fault it is. You could at least say that you’re sorry.· Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.
· The smallest puppies are the least likely to survive.
(=once, and probably more than once)· On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.
We’ve cleaned it all up, or at least most of it.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► it’s the least I can do► not the least/not in the least/not the least bitPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1at least a)not less than a particular number or amount: - Mrs. Russel was upset, to say the least.
- These maps are difficult to understand, to say the least.
- As captain and opening bat, he's an important member of the side, to say the least.
- Cartoonish, to say the least.
- It is a bizarre setting, to say the least, where the boredom and indifference can be measured in metric tons.
- The lamps look, to say the least, unreliable.
- The outlook for their national teams is, to say the least, uncertain.
- The results of these experiments were, to say the least, puzzling to the researchers.
- There would be a bit of confusion, to say the least.
- Try as she might, her working relationship with Stephanie Marsa was strained to say the least.
- For not the least of Henry's problems was how to raise the money required for the accomplishment of such an undertaking.
- Greatly increased taxes and a major shift back to defence expenditure could be the least of our worries.
- Not the least of its problems was extreme alienation between labor and management.
- That was the least of her troubles.
- The death under somewhat dubious circumstances of a racehorse belonging to his son was frankly the least of his problems.
- At least fifty people were waiting in line.
- At least you should listen to his explanation.
- His name is Kevin. At least that's what he told me.
- His parents should at least go to his graduation.
- The food was terrible, but at least we had a nice view.
- The law has changed, at least as far as I know.
- Everyone on the Cardinals' roster should be here for at least part of the minicamp.
- For the time being, at least, the Falls was safe.
- It goes against calls from the London Chamber of Commerce which wants at least 1000 more free parking spaces for bikes.
- Lastly, they want to give tax advantages to causes deemed worthy, or at least popular.
- That would mean at least $ 7. 28 an hour in wages and benefits.
- There are at least four companies, perhaps five, that would like to start a 24-hour news channel.
- To all appearances, it kept a grip on at least 30 million Muslimsmore than the entire population of the Maghreb today.
- Unless I see at least a hint of contour, I assume a crotch has been padded.
- But, at the very least, we want to be cut in on the deal.
- Each tier was held in place by tiny press studs which sprang apart at the least pressure.
- He threw noisy tantrums at the least provocation.
- I suppose I had expected anger, an outburst of violence, at the very least surprise and furious disbelief.
- I was sure, at the very least, that diet does had done thousands of women like me no good.
- Obviously, organic does signify better, or at the least an improvement, but the buyer must beware.
- People's lives could be at stake, or at the very least their futures.
- That there should be, at the least, periodic review.
- $10,000 is the least we'll need to repair the roof.
- £20,000 is the least we could accept for a car of this type.
- After trials, we chose the engine that used the least fuel.
- Find a route that is likely to have the least traffic.
- I was the youngest, so I always got the least pocket money.
- Of all the EU countries, Britain spends the least on higher education.
- The least anyone around here works is about 50 hours per week.
- Those who have been in the most danger have the least to say about it.
- We've selected recipes that take the least time to prepare.
- We decided to buy the one that cost the least.
- We thought this decision would produce the least harm and disruption to residents.
- Which jacket costs the least?
- Even the least likely candidate for a career in dance knew that Truitte was available after class for talk about the field.
- I learned that there were thousands of men pursuing my sisters, who seemed not the least bit concerned.
- If this happens to you, simply cut the least important information.
- It was the least likely millionaire's spare-room imaginable.
- Money was the least volatile commodity traded by Salomon Brothers and therefore the least risky.
- The northernmost zone has the least continuous plant cover, the most patterned ground exposed, and the narrowest range of communities.
- The white washed walls and bright lighting, however, make this one of the least atmospheric mausoleums you could imagine.
- This was to be our first meeting since the threat of further surgery or at the least, drugs.
- Last but not least, I would like to thank my wife for her support.
- Last but not least, let me introduce Jane, our new accountant.
- And last but not least, I thank Begona Canup for her interest in the book.
- Social Security has reduced poverty, and last, but by no means least, it has been a good deal for participants.
- And last but not least, the baby of the family.
- And last but not least, there are all those damn kids sharing files and scaring the media moguls shiftless.
- And, last but not least, its growth and production has a huge impact on the environment we live in.
- And, last but not least, my cousin Bishop Malduin of Kinrimund with, no doubt, his stepson Colban.
- And, last but not least, they might re-read the scores while listening.
- If you take the line of least resistance or fail to be consistent, you will actually make things worse.
- Political will in such situations is a low explosive, blasting along the lines of least resistance.
- Pretty soon, the water, which follows the path of least resistance, has its own plan for your driveway.
- The priesthood built itself and if we help it along we are only following the line of least resistance.
- Usually he just takes the line of least resistance.
- When it constructs its tunnel underground the rabbit, naturally enough, takes the line of least resistance.
- As captain and opening bat, he's an important member of the side, to say the least.
- Cartoonish, to say the least.
- It is a bizarre setting, to say the least, where the boredom and indifference can be measured in metric tons.
- The lamps look, to say the least, unreliable.
- The outlook for their national teams is, to say the least, uncertain.
- The results of these experiments were, to say the least, puzzling to the researchers.
- There would be a bit of confusion, to say the least.
- Try as she might, her working relationship with Stephanie Marsa was strained to say the least.
It will take you at least 20 minutes to get there. He had at least £100,000 in savings.at the (very) least (=not less than and probably much more than) It would cost $1 million at the very least. b)even if something better is not true or is not done: At least he didn’t lie to me. I don’t expect you to pay me, but you could at least cover my expenses. The house still needed a lot of work, but at least the kitchen was finished. c)used when you are correcting or changing something that you have just said: They all knew I was on their side. At least, that’s what they said. I made everything perfectly clear – or at least I thought I did.2at the (very) least used when mentioning the least extreme thing that happens, is needed etc: Computer viruses are at the very least annoying and often actually destructive.3 the least a)the smallest amount: Women work in those sectors of the job market which pay the least. Which method causes the least damage to the environment? b)used to emphasize how small something is, especially when it hardly exists at all: I haven’t the least idea what you are talking about. He used to wake at the least noise. c)used when you are saying what someone should do in a situation, and suggesting that they should really do more: The least you could do is give me her phone number. The least they could have given her is some money towards the rent.4not the least/not in the least/not the least bit none at all, or not at all: I tried to convince them, but they weren’t the least interested. I’m not in the least afraid of you anymore. His voice was alert, not the least bit sleepy.5to say the least used to show that something is worse or more serious than you are actually saying: His teaching methods were strange, to say the least.6the least of somebody’s worries/problems/troubles/concerns something that someone is not worried about because there are other more important problems: What I looked like was the least of my problems.7it’s the least I can do spoken used to say that you are very willing to do something or to reply to someone’s thanks: I’ll look after them – it’s the least I can do. → last but not least at last2(3)least1 determiner, pronounleast2 adverb
leastleast2 ●●○ adverb EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Air-conditioning is standard except on the least expensive model.
- Car problems happen when you least expect them.
- I was the least experienced member of the expedition.
- Portugal would be my least favourite choice.
- The people who are least able to afford healthcare are often the ones who need it most.
- The tax hits those who can least afford it.
- We were the least successful team in the competition.
- Which job would you least like to do?
- Alex Ferguson will have loved this, not least because questions had started to be asked of his team and star names.
- It is also the explanation of political behavior that has been least fully explored by means of social scientific inquiry.
- Last but not least, community projects include events such as school quizzes, sheltered shopping and the annual Aberdeen Carnival.
- Not least there are hints on organising your new crew.
- Not least, it reduces the time in which the specification can be changed.
Longman Language Activatorless than any other
· We were the least successful team in the competition.· Portugal would be my least favourite choice.· The people who are least able to afford healthcare are often the ones who need it most.· Air-conditioning is standard except on the least expensive model.· Which job would you least like to do?
the smallest amount or number of something the smallest amount of something: the least: · We decided to buy the one that cost the least.· Those who have been in the most danger have the least to say about it.· Of all the EU countries, Britain spends the least on higher education.· The least I would expect would be an apology (=I'd like more than just an apology).the least water/money/time etc: · After trials, we chose the engine that used the least fuel.· I was the youngest, so I always got the least pocket money.· We've selected recipes that take the least time to prepare.· Find a route that is likely to have the least traffic.· We thought this decision would produce the least harm and disruption to residents.
the smallest possible number or amount of something or the smallest number or amount that is allowed: · The minimum salary for this post is $25,000.· We need a minimum number of two staff members on duty at lunchtime.· Frank was moved to a minimum-security prison for good behaviour.minimum height/length/age/wage etc: · These workers are being paid less than the minimum wage.· The minimum age at which you can legally buy tobacco is 18. · The Police Department has reduced the minimum height requirement to encourage more women to join the force.reduce/keep something to a minimum (=make the amount or number of something as small as possible): · Interruptions should be kept to a minimum.· The library book stock has already been reduced to a minimum.· We want to keep the number of mistakes to a minimum.minimum of: · This will enable the patient to move with a minimum of discomfort.· The course takes a minimum of three years.· Even for local games, you have to pay a minimum of $45 per game.the minimum: · Five people in a group should be the minimum.bare minimum (=use this to emphasize how small the amount is): · A tiny crack in the tent allowed the bare minimum of light in.
the smallest number of something: · We plan to do the repairs in winter, when we have the fewest visitors.· Single men make the fewest complaints about women bosses.· Towns with the fewest amenities are usually the ones with the highest crime rates.· Young drivers under 25 have the highest number of accidents while those over 50 have the fewest.· In 1998, there were 71 homicides, the fewest since the 1950s.
use this about numbers, prices, wages, temperatures, or levels: · In the last election, he was the candidate who got the lowest number of votes.· People who drank the least coffee had the lowest level of blood pressure.· The lowest charge for a rented car is $30 a day.· Does the company offering the lowest price really offer the best value?the lowest for 6 months/in 15 years/since 2000 etc: · Interest rates are only 4%, the lowest for 25 years.· The infant mortality rate in Vietnam is now the lowest since 1997. · Overseas demand for corn is the lowest in 20 years.
to be at the lowest level the lowest level ever reached: be at an all-time low: · Exports of manufactured goods are now at an all-time low.· Morale at the company is at an all-time low, and staff are leaving in droves.sink to/fall to/reach an all-time low: · Ratings for the once-popular game show seem to have reached an all-time low.· The president's popularity has fallen to an all-time low.
the lowest level of success, hope, health etc: be at its/their lowest ebb: · Consumer confidence is at its lowest ebb since January.· With the company's fortunes at their lowest ebb for 25 years, lay-offs seem inevitable.something sinks/falls to its lowest ebb: · In the late 1980s, her career sank to its lowest ebb.· Relations with Washington have fallen to their lowest ebb.
unable to escape use this to emphasize that something is more important or happens more with one particular thing than any others: · This disease mostly affects women, particularly women over 50.· Paris is always full of tourists, especially during the summer months.especially/particularly if/when: · Allow plenty of time for your visa to be processed, especially if you are applying by mail.especially/particularly good/important/difficult etc: · This is a particularly good example of the problem we've been discussing.
spoken especially - used in conversation: · I bought it specially for you.· We specially wanted to see the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre.specially if/when: · You really need a car - specially when you live a long way from the nearest town.
use in particular to mention one person or thing that is more important or more interesting than all similar things: · Mary loves most classical music, in particular Bach and Vivaldi.· Kids in particular will love the rides and shows.anything/anyone/anywhere etc in particular: · Was there anything in particular that you wanted to talk about?
use above all to emphasize that something is more important than all the other things you have mentioned: · Get plenty of sleep, eat lots of good food, and above all try to relax.· John felt sad, embarrassed, but above all angry that Anna could treat him like this.
more than anything or anyone else: · Swimming and soccer are fun, but I like dancing most of all.· He was friendly and intelligent, but most of all he was a good worker.· Out of everybody at school she was the person who helped me most of all.
especially not: · She told no one, least of all her husband, what she planned to do.· Nobody wants to stop you from following the career of your choice, least of all me.
formal use this to say that someone or something is an important example of what you are talking about: · The use of illegal drugs - notably marijuana - has increased in recent years.most notably: · A number of respected philosophers, most notably Leibniz, criticized Newton's theories.
spoken more than anyone else - use this when someone has said or done something you think is very surprising or unlikely for them to do or say: · You of all people shouldn't be calling him worthless.· Why is Jennifer Stern, of all people, so important?
more than any other person: · You more than anyone should know how difficult it is to raise a child alone.· Freud, more than anyone, was responsible for the establishment of psychology as a science.
if you give special or particular care, attention, or interest to something, you give it more attention than usual or more attention than you give anything else: special/particular care/attention/interest: · You should pay particular attention to spelling.· Special care must be taken to reward children appropriately for good behavior.
what you say to introduce the last thing in a speech etc use this when something is the last thing you want to say, especially at the end of a long speech or piece of writing: · Finally, I'd like to thank all those people who helped make the conference such a success.· And finally, don't miss Albuquerque's amazing punk band, playing tonight at the Lunar Club.
use this to say that something is the last of a list of things, or when something is the last thing you want to say: · Now lastly, before you all leave, I want to mention some tips for the interview stage.· And lastly, Delia, do you see the movement towards more and more computerization continuing in the future?· Firstly it's too big, secondly we can't afford it, and lastly we don't really need it.
use this when you are mentioning the last person or thing in a list, to emphasize that they are just as important as all the others: · Last but not least, let me introduce Jane, our new accountant.· And last but not least, I thank Begona Canup for her interest in the book.last but certainly not/by no means least: · Social Security has reduced poverty, and last, but by no means least, it has been a good deal for participants.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I’m not in the least bit interested in whose fault it is. You could at least say that you’re sorry. We’ve cleaned it all up, or at least most of it.
I’m not in the least bit interested in whose fault it is. You could at least say that you’re sorry.· Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.
· The smallest puppies are the least likely to survive.
(=once, and probably more than once)· On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.
We’ve cleaned it all up, or at least most of it.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1less than anything or anyone else OPP most: - Dave doesn't take anything seriously, least of all himself.
- Nobody wants to stop you from following the career of your choice, least of all me.
- She told no one, least of all her husband, what she planned to do.
- James was no model of deportment anywhere, least of all in his marital and other personal relations.
- Life is no bed of roses for the new dealer, least of all if female and of a gullible disposition.
- No one thought it was a goal of mine, least of all me.
- Nobody, least of all the chancellor, one suspects, is banking on this.
- Not least of all, it is the San Diego neighborhood that many gays have long embraced as their own.
- They were not people who smiled much, least of all at children.
- This wasn't yet a case for the police, least of all for him.
- Truth is, no one has laughed at the inconsistent Campbell lately, least of all the Nets.
- There are many factors which limit productivity; not least is employee education.
- Alex Ferguson will have loved this, not least because questions had started to be asked of his team and star names.
- And it annoyed her intensely, not least of all because she still felt a long way from figuring him out!
- And last but not least, the baby of the family.
- I didn't relish this: not least because it meant that I didn't break my silence until the cheese course.
- Like all good music it speaks of love, not least of the medium itself.
- Nevertheless it requires separate assessment, not least because it drew on certain areas of experience not directly dominated by the monarch.
- Last but not least, I would like to thank my wife for her support.
- Last but not least, let me introduce Jane, our new accountant.
- And last but not least, I thank Begona Canup for her interest in the book.
- Social Security has reduced poverty, and last, but by no means least, it has been a good deal for participants.
- And last but not least, the baby of the family.
- And last but not least, there are all those damn kids sharing files and scaring the media moguls shiftless.
- And, last but not least, its growth and production has a huge impact on the environment we live in.
- And, last but not least, my cousin Bishop Malduin of Kinrimund with, no doubt, his stepson Colban.
- And, last but not least, they might re-read the scores while listening.
- If you take the line of least resistance or fail to be consistent, you will actually make things worse.
- Political will in such situations is a low explosive, blasting along the lines of least resistance.
- Pretty soon, the water, which follows the path of least resistance, has its own plan for your driveway.
- The priesthood built itself and if we help it along we are only following the line of least resistance.
- Usually he just takes the line of least resistance.
- When it constructs its tunnel underground the rabbit, naturally enough, takes the line of least resistance.
- As captain and opening bat, he's an important member of the side, to say the least.
- Cartoonish, to say the least.
- It is a bizarre setting, to say the least, where the boredom and indifference can be measured in metric tons.
- The lamps look, to say the least, unreliable.
- The outlook for their national teams is, to say the least, uncertain.
- The results of these experiments were, to say the least, puzzling to the researchers.
- There would be a bit of confusion, to say the least.
- Try as she might, her working relationship with Stephanie Marsa was strained to say the least.
The journey would impose extra expense on those least able to afford it. It is quite amazing what turns up when you are least expecting it. He’s my least favourite member of staff.2least of all especially not a particular person or thing: She hardly ever lost her temper – least of all with Anne.3not least formal used to emphasize that something is important: My mother was upset about his appearance here, not least because she felt it was invading her privacy.