most1 adverbmost2 determiner, pronoun
mostmost1 /məʊst $ moʊst/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I guess the food I eat most is pasta.
- I was most surprised to hear of your engagement.
- It's most comfortable if I sit with my legs up.
- It was a most interesting experience.
- She liked the dark beer most.
- That's the most important part!
- The part we enjoyed most was the trip to the Grand Canyon.
- This style of management is most frequently used in Japan.
- What the people here need most of all is food and clean water.
- What worries me most is the effect the divorce is having on the children.
- Death is the most powerful of these forces.
- It is for the local management of the service to determine the most effective deployment of resources to meet performance targets.
- One of our most fundamental desires, it seems, is to know and dramatize the richness of physical life.
- Stories of even the most important events often depended on the post.
- The prison hero is the one who most openly shows anger and contempt for the staff.
- Women have long been both the greatest seekers of psy services and the group most heavily victimized by them.
Longman Language Activatormost of an amount, group, or thing
the largest number of people or things, or the largest part of something: · What most people want is a peaceful life.· Most restaurants open at 7.· Most evenings we just stay in and watch TV.· Most research suggests that health is related to social class.most of: · Most of the people I spoke to were very worried.· Alex spent most of his allowance on books.· I've lived here most of my life, so I know the area pretty well.
· He likes almost all kinds of popular music.· We got nearly all our food from the farm.· The bed occupied nearly all the space in the room.almost all/nearly all of · Nearly all of my clothes are too small now.· Almost all of the world's tropical forests are in developing countries.
more than half of the people or things in a large group: · A poll of Democrats shows that a majority support the President.the/a majority of: · In June the majority of our students will be taking examinations.· They claim their campaign is supported by a majority of residents.the vast/great/overwhelming majority (=far more than half): · The great majority of accidents in the Alps occur while climbers are coming down.· an education policy that will please the vast majority of parents
most of a large amount or number of something: · Throughout the Middle Ages, the bulk of the population lived in the country rather than in towns.· The bulk of the charity's income comes from private donations.
most of a period of time or of a distance, especially when the time or distance is too long: · It was the best part of a mile to the farm.· It'll probably take the best part of a week to sort it out.· I expect the whole procedure to take the better part of a morning.
the biggest part of something valuable or good that is taken by one person, group, or organization, so that others get less: · Sarah only ate a few bites of the dessert, so I got the lion's share.the lion's share of: · Why should the state get the lion's share of people's money?· His company currently has the lion's share of the market.
more than anyone or anything else more than anything else - use this especially to talk about something that you like, want, need, or worry about more than anything else: · The part we enjoyed most was the trip to the Grand Canyon.· What worries me most is the effect the divorce is having on the children.most of all (=much more than anything else): · What the people here need most of all is food and clean water.
a larger amount or number than anyone or anything else: · In a fair tax system those who earn the most should pay the most.· The player who scores the most points wins.· Which machine uses the most electricity?
the largest amount possible the maximum amount of something is the largest amount that is possible or allowed: · Travelling at its maximum speed of 186 mph, the train reached Paris in less than two hours.· We want our message to reach the maximum number of people.· Both men are facing a maximum penalty of a year in jail.· We'll show you how to arrange the furniture in your office to make maximum use of the space available.
the largest amount that is possible: · I'm afraid £500 is the most I can offer you.· The most you can hope to achieve is a 10% increase in production.
a top speed, price, salary etc is the highest speed, price etc that is possible or is paid: · It's Hyundai's fastest car yet, with a top speed of 121 mph.· The top price paid was $1,200,000 for a print by Degas.
when most people share a particular opinion something that is generally believed is believed by most people: · His first year as President was generally regarded as a success.· It is now generally accepted that the so-called "Hitler Diaries' were forgeries.
: broad agreement/consensus/acceptance agreement among most people about something: · There was broad agreement on the issue of equal pay for women.· He had created a broad consensus among different groups of Americans.
when there is much more of one type than of other types · Apart from the Nile valley, Egypt is mostly desert.· I used to read a lot of poetry, mainly love poetry.· The new immigrants were mainly from Southern Europe.· The surface of Mercury seems to consist largely of dust.
if something, especially a group of people, is predominantly of a particular type, most of it is of that type: · The character Shylock is a Jew living in a predominantly Christian society.· As a civil engineer, Susan will be competing in a predominantly male profession.· Our economy is predominantly capitalist.
formal if people or things of a particular type predominate in a place or situation, they are present in greater numbers than other types of people or things: · Dairy farms predominate in Sussex.· In the summer, blue and pink flowers predominate, but there are white flowers, too, for contrast.
if people of a particular kind are in the majority in an organization or group, they form the largest part of it: · The number of women on the committee has grown steadily and now they are in the majority.
formal if there is a preponderance of people or things of a particular type in a group, most of the people or things in the group are of that type - used especially when the group is being studied: · At some universities, there is a preponderance of older lecturers.· They chose to investigate reasons for the preponderance of large families among the poor and ill-educated.
most often use this to say what someone does most, or who does something most: · We eat mostly Italian food.· She has to travel abroad a lot, mostly to Spain and France.· a singer whose records are bought mainly by teenage girls
for almost all of the time: · Most of the time at work I just answer the phone and type letters.· This place is really busy most of the time.
used when something happens more than anything else: · In most cases the system that we have works very well.· The airline received about 500 complaints last year. In most cases these concerned delays and cancellations.
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.
receiving a lot of attention in newspapers etc to receive a lot of attention, so that a lot of what you do is reported in newspapers, on television etc: · The President's family is constantly in the public eye.· Marks has kept himself in the public eye for years by filing bizarre lawsuits.
to receive a lot of attention in newspapers, on television etc, but often only for a short period of time: · The band is in the spotlight again because of its recent hit single.· How do her children feel about having a mother who's constantly in the limelight?
receiving a lot of attention from newspapers, television etc, and talked about by a lot of people: · The much talked about new museum is somewhat disappointing.· She is Australia's most talked about TV actress.
if someone's name is on everyone's lips they are very well known and talked about for a short time, usually as a result of a news story: · As a result of the scandal, the tall Texan millionaire's name was on everyone's lips.
often attracting a lot of attention because of your position in society or your job: · a high-profile civil rights lawyer· a high-profile position as Chief Executive
when something is true about most situations, people, or events use this to say that something is usually true: · Women generally live longer than men.· In general, jobs for temporary workers are low-paid.· In general, students who get regular exercise do better in school.· Inner-city schools generally achieved lower exam grades than other schools.· Car theft is an increasingly common crime, and in most cases the offender is under 18.
especially spoken use this to introduce a statement about what usually happens or is true: · Generally speaking, bright colors make people feel happier.· As a rule, French wines are more expensive than those from Eastern Europe.
use this to say that something is true about most people, things, or occasions: · I drink sugar-free colas, mostly.· The students here are mostly Swiss and German, but sometimes we get a few Japanese, too.· He mostly writes novels, but he's published a book of poetry too.
especially spoken use this to say that something usually happens: · Our two-year-old is happy most of the time, but he wakes up from his naps in an awful mood.· Most of the time people vote for the party that offers them financial advantages.
use this to say that something is true most of the time but not every time: · By and large, print is easier to read than handwriting.· The candidates that the party selected tended, on the whole, to be middle-aged, male, and white.· Despite their age, the paintings are, on the whole, in very good condition.
especially written use this to say that something is true in most cases: · The cell chemistry of these insects is, for the most part, poorly understood.· Ethnic minorities have struggled to retain their cultural identity, and have for the most part succeeded.
if something tends to happen, it usually happens or is true, but not always: tend to happen/do something: · Young children tend to get sick more often than adults.· What tends to happen is that the poorest families end up in the worst housing.tend to be somebody who/that: · It tends to be the brighter kids who get all the teacher's attention.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
A recent study showed that gardening is easily the most popular activity among the over 50s. Most of all, I just felt sad that it was over. He plays poker most every evening.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He seemed most anxious to speak to me alone. ‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’ China’s most-favored-nation trading status with the US Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. Thank you for your help. You’ve been most kind (=said when thanking someone very politely). I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area. At the time, accepting his offer had seemed the most natural thing in the world. The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre. Africa’s second highest mountain What surprised me most was that she didn’t seem to care. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession. It’s most unfortunate (=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding.
A recent study showed that gardening is easily the most popular activity among the over 50s. Most of all, I just felt sad that it was over. He plays poker most every evening. He seemed most anxious to speak to me alone. ‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’ (=the best)· George Best was one of the most exceptional footballers of all time.
(=very exceptional)· A child will only be removed from the parental home in the most exceptional of cases.
(=one that is probably true)· The most likely explanation is that John missed the bus.· The most probable explanation is that the water was contaminated.
British English Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary.
Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary. China’s most-favored-nation trading status with the US Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. Thank you for your help. You’ve been most kind (=said when thanking someone very politely).· At this age, boys were more likely than girls to be active in sports.
I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area. At the time, accepting his offer had seemed the most natural thing in the world. The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre.· After her initial difficulties she has made a very satisfactory recovery.
Africa’s second highest mountain What surprised me most was that she didn’t seem to care. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession.· We live in a very unfair world.
It’s most unfortunate (=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding.· It’s highly unlikely that he’ll survive.
· Gandhi was a most unusual politician.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The Purchaser must be able to elect which measure of damages is most appropriate.· Are current systems for delivering defence services the most appropriate for modern conditions?· Detailed analysis of this kind should enable the most appropriate method of tension reduction to be chosen for each individual patient.· Runnymede offered a most appropriate site for such a memorial on account of its historical associations and its closeness to London and Heathrow.· I would be grateful if you could pass the document on to the most appropriate person within your department for information.· An obvious example is the weight to be given to each of the central initiatives and the most appropriate form of implementation.· In computer selling, for example, successful selling requires an appreciation of which system is most appropriate given customer needs and resources.· It has a name most appropriate to our profession: J Press.
· For Ross obligatoriness or rightness, as a property of possible actions, is the most basic ethical property or relation.· Hunger and fear motivate us at the most basic level.· One of his first, and most basic suggestions was that prices must be raised.· Those same cooks forget from year to year the most basic techniques of getting the bird to the table.· The two most basic benefits are income support and unemployment benefit.· Gentle gnawing on the tiny bones appeals to our most basic, primordial instincts.· Kin altruism is therefore seen by sociobiologists as the most basic form of co-operative behaviour.· If cooperation and exchange are to continue to flourish in our most basic social unit, family members also need reliable contracts.
· She was the most beautiful girl in the entire school.· Rather High Church, I gather, and a most beautiful building.· Meadowgate Farm was situated in one of the most beautiful valleys around Mitford.· Ludovico was the most beautiful man she had ever seen.· Over the years, Rapunzel grew the longest, most beautiful hair in the world.· I tried to relax my tightening nerves with mind pictures of the most beautiful landscapes of the Rambles.· And if that were not enough, I was fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful towns in the state.
· This change of emphasis from cash to produce is probably the most difficult mental hurdle.· So, Johnson said, previous conditioning was the most difficult of the many challenges to overcome.· Many of our most difficult cases are those where buildings belong not to private owners but to institutions or government organizations.· He is the most difficult to understand, and therefore the most fascinating.· I hope to show that the incompetence that is most difficult to correct is tightly coupled with skilfulness.· Black seeds are the most pungent, the most rare, and the most difficult to harvest.· Captains regularly tackle the most difficult jobs with calm confidence.· The analysis was the most difficult of the three by all odds.
· But the immature brain cells were the most effective treatment in the rats, says Sandberg.· But these are not the most effective to prevent kids from smoking.· Thus computed tomography remains the most effective method for diagnosing small pulmonary metastases.· Conversely, for window sizes of less than four words, strong overlap alone is the most effective.· His exit, when he truly is on his last legs, is his most effective gambit.· There may well be situations when the procedures modelled on adjudication are not the most effective or appropriate.· The results can help doctors prescribe the most effective anti-viral drug regimen.
· Economics of nurse training Investigator: K Hartley Nurses are the most expensive single resource in the hospital sector.· Because of this, factoring is the most expensive form of accounts receivable financing.· Doctors are the most expensive health workers.· Christmas and mid-February, Presidents Day, are the most expensive periods.· Pain was the most expensive thing you could buy.· They are the biggest and the best, the most expensive and the newest.· He said it was the most expensive accident he's ever had.
· Daley, the son of Richard J. Daley, one of Chicago's most famous mayors, had been elected in 1989.· Overnight he had become the most famous man on earth.· But this is the most famous club in the world.· Yet Lowry was a popular hero who, when he died in 1977, was the most famous painter in Britain.
· The Woodland Trust is dedicated to protecting one of the most important features of Britain's heritage - our native broadleaved woodland.· The Motorola chip is perhaps the most important.· But perhaps the most important feature which makes communication possible across different sign languages is the shared culture of deaf people.· The most important people involved in your personal care are the nurses.· One of the most important is using information about the type of data stored in order to to prevent howlers.· The most important thing in teaching basketball is why -- not how.· Perhaps most important of all is the legitimacy of the system with those who are its subjects.· But the second most important influence was the school itself.
· Advanced classes study the classical works of the most influential writers of the Patristic, Medieval, Reformation and Modern periods.· The most influential critics were either misanthropic or committed to the need for massive reform.· Is it in the most influential publications for your market or is it in small publications with a limited circulation?· Unknown to the general public, he has become one of the most influential educators of young people in the world.· He was now easily the most influential person in policy-making.· These Partnerships need to be representative of the most influential stakeholders, if the Compact is to be a success.
· But the ceiling was the most interesting part of the flat.· New Line, the most interesting independent, is taking a different tack.· Perhaps the most interesting point which arises from McCullough's article is that it needed to be said.· The first were the most useful; the others were the most interesting.· And that, I am afraid, is just about the most interesting thing you can say about it.· This was the most interesting thing she had ever heard Elizabeth say, because it had undertones of cynicism, of self-mockery.· They were seldom the most interesting.
· This unit auto-senses the mains voltage, and adjusts accordingly, so is most likely to benefit international travellers.· The women most likely to answer no?· Statistical information about n-grams has been applied to the output to select a single most likely letter string result.· They are most likely to be attached to primary schools in areas of social need, or to special schools.· However, most of the women in our sample would most likely find that a very risky prospect to attempt at present.· We choose the most likely meaning for it from the world, and in this case the meaning is contextual.· The vocalisation you are most likely to hear is that produced by juveniles when they are playing.
· The most obvious example is the electoral college, the phantom body that stands between voters and the final outcome.· Water, the most obvious and important resource, was not an immediate problem.· Coordination between affiliated firms takes various forms but intercompany stockholding is one of the most obvious.· The most obvious advantage of this system was that it made obsolete the fifty-five spheres of Aristotle.· The stance is the starting-point of every kungfu move, and perhaps the most obvious progression from it is a kick.· For the most obvious thing about them is that they have led to continuous bodily improvement.· The most obvious form of competition for females is straight forward fighting.· Under Roosevelt and Ickes, the Bureau of Reclamation underwent some fundamental changes, the most obvious of which was in size.
· The first is the most popular.· They make it easy to get their most popular product, the Windows 95 version of PKZip 2. 5.· A surprise presentation was also made to one of the region's most popular charity entertainers, Billy Dobson.· They also worry whether the products will include enough of the most popular features.· Amid much razzmatazz PepsiCo announced that the second most popular fizzy drink in the world would henceforth come in blue packaging.· We found out the most popular brand is the Yomega Brain, which costs about $ 10.· The aim is to tell the surgeons about a survey which shows the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery.· One of the most popular sites is the game room, where visitors can play chess, checkers and backgammon with others.
· The most powerful culture is that which reconciles the goals of the individual with those of the collective.· Byrd thought it the most powerful, reliable plane available.· Finally, there's the Acorn Archimedes A3000, which is by far the most powerful home micro available.· Potentially the most powerful of support weapons were Air Force and Navy jets.· The Carmen and the Petra models have two heat settings, but the Carmen model is the most powerful at 250W.· The next most powerful people are successful older men.· However, the most powerful response of all to the food is to its smell, or fragrance.· Council business is conducted through committees, of which the Finance Committee is the most powerful.
· Mori recent history is commemorated by the town's most prominent statue.· John McCain, R-Ariz., co-sponsor of the most prominent reform proposal on the congressional docket.· The two most prominent rightists were Kim Ku and Syngman Rhee.· Among these, the most prominent is the emphasis cities have placed on programs to develop or attract high-technology industries.· Actually, I had offers on leaving law school from the most prominent New York firms.· Although several might yet face tough races, none of the most prominent Republican governors would be considered underdogs for re-election.· Within the main belt are several distinct orbital families of large asteroids, each family named for its most prominent member.
· The calculation is limited to the 20 most recent years with the employer and subject to a maximum week's pay of £205.· Make sure it has the most recent version.· In practical terms this required a duration that recorded the most recent 25 hours of flying.· The most recent purchase, in April, was the stretch between Willits and Novato.· Fertilisations may occur over a period of a month, but the most recent foetuses have the best chance to develop.· The first tranche of shares in 1987 sold at £26,000, and the most recent at a thumping £41,000.
· Of the other runners, Yavlinsky seems most serious.· Loneliness and Boredom Perhaps the most serious problem of all was simply that there was not enough adventure or diversion.· The most serious problem about complete participation is a moral one rather than a practical one.· One of the most serious problems is also one of the oldest.· Apart from employment, the most serious implications of the policies of constraint are for housing.· The most serious threat concerns control of rivers and watersheds.· His most serious offence in that time was taking part in a robbery while armed with a crossbow.· Expulsion from Congress is reserved for the most serious misconduct and is considered unlikely in this case.
· One of the most significant will be a look at the next generation of fast-breeder nuclear reactors.· A list of some of the most significant and of some reviews of this literature is presented in the Resource Directory.· The most significant is the small goods vehicle.· The most significant and expensive changes are those that go into effect Oct. 1 of this year.· The Texas governorship was generally considered to be one of the most significant of the country's gubernatorial prizes.· The most significant of these may be the use of helium-3 in spacecraft propulsion, in a fusion rocket.· But by far the most significant change is the elevation of newsreader Trevor McDonald to superstar status.· But examination of history brings out one most significant difference.
· But the movie was not the most successful of the night.· Perhaps the most successful futures project was conducted by the Florida House of Representatives.· As the company believes that home grown talent is often the most successful, internal promotion is encouraged.· One of the most successful political insurance firms is operated by party ancient Joe Gill.· The most successful title of this type is the heavy metal bible, Kerrang.· When it comes to cancer, a multidisciplinary approach is often the most successful.· Today, Head Start is considered by many one of our most successful antipoverty programs.
VERB· You will find it most interesting to devise other test sets for experimental and instructional purposes.· He was the one who was most interesting, because we learned from each other.· Answer: a or c, but option c might be the most interesting.· Some of the most interesting evidence to support this idea comes from studies on those alcohol-preferring mice discovered in the 1950s.· But other details, some of the most interesting, can not be confirmed by such indirect means.· The most interesting features were three narrow slots cut in the body of the raft.· One of the most interesting facts about communicative intentions is that they are intended to be recognized.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► at your best/worst/most effective etc► the biggest/tallest/most expensive etc ... on earth► next biggest/most common etc► in large part/for the most part
1[used before an adjective or adverb to form the superlative] having the greatest amount of a particular quality OPP least: - Guel made the most of her time on court.
- Chuck Levy, meanwhile, was in for 40 offensive plays and made the most of them.
- Enjoy, and make the most of, the benefits that this publicity can bring to you.
- He made the most of it, continuing to dance.
- Meanwhile, Vistec is making the most of the recession and has a Pounds 4m cash pile.
- She made the most of it.
- So what they do is make the most of each player, maximizing their talent.
- The challenge in this book is to make the most of human relationships without becoming a victim. 2.
- Ward objectives will give her guidance in making the most of each allocation.
- Most of the time at work I just answer the phone and type letters.
- Most of the time he's a really nice guy, but sometimes he can be really nasty.
- Most of the time people vote for the party that offers them financial advantages.
- Our two-year-old is happy most of the time, but he wakes up from his naps in an awful mood.
- This place is really busy most of the time.
- And it works too, most of the time.
- Dewar looked gloomy most of the time, being one of life's pessimists.
- Even after that, she continued to have headaches almost daily and felt nauseated most of the time.
- He took no shit from anybody, gambled constantly, and won most of the time.
- I don't like the way I look, most of the time, for all the reasons I've just given.
- Raskolnikov lives with his pain, but most of the time he doesn't focus on it.
- We were hungry and cold most of the time.
- Without visible failure most minds are closed most of the time.
She’s one of the most experienced teachers in the district. The most important thing is to stay calm. A recent study showed that gardening is easily the most popular activity among the over 50s. We shall find out which system works most effectively. It is the kind of tea most often served in Chinese restaurants.GRAMMAR: ComparativesMost is not used before the -est form of an adjective or adverb. You say: · This exercise is one of the hardest. ✗Don’t say: This exercise is one of the most hardest.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVES2to a greater degree or more times than anything else: What annoyed him most was the way she wouldn’t even listen. I guess the food I eat most is pasta. Most of all, I just felt sad that it was over.3[+adjective/adverb] formal very: Thank you for a most interesting evening. I was most surprised to hear of your engagement.4American English informal almost: He plays poker most every evening.USAGE: The most, the more• You use the most when you are comparing one person or thing with all others: · It was the most terrifying experience of my life.• In spoken English, you can also use the most when comparing just two people or things: · Which is the most enjoyable – tennis or squash? However, some people think that this is incorrect and use (the) more to compare two people or things: · Which is the more enjoyable – tennis or squash?most1 adverbmost2 determiner, pronoun
mostmost2 ●●● S1 W1 determiner, pronoun [the superlative of ‘many’ and ‘much’] Longman Language Activatormost of an amount, group, or thing
the largest number of people or things, or the largest part of something: · What most people want is a peaceful life.· Most restaurants open at 7.· Most evenings we just stay in and watch TV.· Most research suggests that health is related to social class.most of: · Most of the people I spoke to were very worried.· Alex spent most of his allowance on books.· I've lived here most of my life, so I know the area pretty well.
· He likes almost all kinds of popular music.· We got nearly all our food from the farm.· The bed occupied nearly all the space in the room.almost all/nearly all of · Nearly all of my clothes are too small now.· Almost all of the world's tropical forests are in developing countries.
more than half of the people or things in a large group: · A poll of Democrats shows that a majority support the President.the/a majority of: · In June the majority of our students will be taking examinations.· They claim their campaign is supported by a majority of residents.the vast/great/overwhelming majority (=far more than half): · The great majority of accidents in the Alps occur while climbers are coming down.· an education policy that will please the vast majority of parents
most of a large amount or number of something: · Throughout the Middle Ages, the bulk of the population lived in the country rather than in towns.· The bulk of the charity's income comes from private donations.
most of a period of time or of a distance, especially when the time or distance is too long: · It was the best part of a mile to the farm.· It'll probably take the best part of a week to sort it out.· I expect the whole procedure to take the better part of a morning.
the biggest part of something valuable or good that is taken by one person, group, or organization, so that others get less: · Sarah only ate a few bites of the dessert, so I got the lion's share.the lion's share of: · Why should the state get the lion's share of people's money?· His company currently has the lion's share of the market.
more than anyone or anything else more than anything else - use this especially to talk about something that you like, want, need, or worry about more than anything else: · The part we enjoyed most was the trip to the Grand Canyon.· What worries me most is the effect the divorce is having on the children.most of all (=much more than anything else): · What the people here need most of all is food and clean water.
a larger amount or number than anyone or anything else: · In a fair tax system those who earn the most should pay the most.· The player who scores the most points wins.· Which machine uses the most electricity?
the largest amount possible the maximum amount of something is the largest amount that is possible or allowed: · Travelling at its maximum speed of 186 mph, the train reached Paris in less than two hours.· We want our message to reach the maximum number of people.· Both men are facing a maximum penalty of a year in jail.· We'll show you how to arrange the furniture in your office to make maximum use of the space available.
the largest amount that is possible: · I'm afraid £500 is the most I can offer you.· The most you can hope to achieve is a 10% increase in production.
a top speed, price, salary etc is the highest speed, price etc that is possible or is paid: · It's Hyundai's fastest car yet, with a top speed of 121 mph.· The top price paid was $1,200,000 for a print by Degas.
when most people share a particular opinion something that is generally believed is believed by most people: · His first year as President was generally regarded as a success.· It is now generally accepted that the so-called "Hitler Diaries' were forgeries.
: broad agreement/consensus/acceptance agreement among most people about something: · There was broad agreement on the issue of equal pay for women.· He had created a broad consensus among different groups of Americans.
when there is much more of one type than of other types · Apart from the Nile valley, Egypt is mostly desert.· I used to read a lot of poetry, mainly love poetry.· The new immigrants were mainly from Southern Europe.· The surface of Mercury seems to consist largely of dust.
if something, especially a group of people, is predominantly of a particular type, most of it is of that type: · The character Shylock is a Jew living in a predominantly Christian society.· As a civil engineer, Susan will be competing in a predominantly male profession.· Our economy is predominantly capitalist.
formal if people or things of a particular type predominate in a place or situation, they are present in greater numbers than other types of people or things: · Dairy farms predominate in Sussex.· In the summer, blue and pink flowers predominate, but there are white flowers, too, for contrast.
if people of a particular kind are in the majority in an organization or group, they form the largest part of it: · The number of women on the committee has grown steadily and now they are in the majority.
formal if there is a preponderance of people or things of a particular type in a group, most of the people or things in the group are of that type - used especially when the group is being studied: · At some universities, there is a preponderance of older lecturers.· They chose to investigate reasons for the preponderance of large families among the poor and ill-educated.
most often use this to say what someone does most, or who does something most: · We eat mostly Italian food.· She has to travel abroad a lot, mostly to Spain and France.· a singer whose records are bought mainly by teenage girls
for almost all of the time: · Most of the time at work I just answer the phone and type letters.· This place is really busy most of the time.
used when something happens more than anything else: · In most cases the system that we have works very well.· The airline received about 500 complaints last year. In most cases these concerned delays and cancellations.
the largest amount that is allowed or possible the highest number, speed, temperature etc that is allowed by a law or rule: · He borrowed money up to the limit that the bank allowed.limit on: · There's no limit on the amount of money that may be brought into the US.time/age/speed limit: · The Interstate speed limit is 65 m.p.h.over/above the limit: · Pollution levels in the water were found to be over the official limit.set a limit (=decide what a limit will be): · Some families set limits on how much they spend on each other's Christmas present.
the maximum number or amount is the largest number or amount that is possible, normal, or allowed: · After leaving Calais, the train soon reaches its maximum speed of 300 kph.· Forty is the maximum number of passengers this bus is allowed to carry.· Ditikins faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
the largest amount or number of something: the most (that): · He likes to gamble, but the most he ever won was $1000.· Two cakes is the most that I can bake in my oven at one time.at most/at the most (=as the largest amount possible or allowed): · A new tyre would cost £70 at the very most.
the largest amount of something that is allowed within a range: · The explosion had a force that was close to the upper limit allowed by nuclear arms treaties.upper limit on: · The Pentagon did not set an upper limit on troop deployments during the war.
the largest number or amount of something that is officially allowed - use this especially in business: · Import quotas may rise from the present ceiling of 18.5 million to 20 million.ceiling on: · There is a ceiling on the amount of foreign investment allowed in any company in the country.debt ceiling (=the largest amount that a country is allowed to owe): · Congress was once again considering raising the federal debt ceiling.
the largest amount or number that is allowed before something stops happening, has an effect etc: · The machine's cut-off point is 1000 volts, which is the safety maximum.· Science has pushed back the cut-off point at which a woman can no longer bear children.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The boy looked nine at the very most (=he was probably younger).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He seemed most anxious to speak to me alone. ‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’ China’s most-favored-nation trading status with the US Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. Thank you for your help. You’ve been most kind (=said when thanking someone very politely). I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area. At the time, accepting his offer had seemed the most natural thing in the world. The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre. Africa’s second highest mountain What surprised me most was that she didn’t seem to care. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession. It’s most unfortunate (=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding.
(=usually) Most of the time it’s very quiet here. Most evenings we just stay in and watch TV.
Most of the time it’s very quiet here. Most evenings we just stay in and watch TV. The boy looked nine at the very most (=he was probably younger). He seemed most anxious to speak to me alone. ‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’ (=the best)· George Best was one of the most exceptional footballers of all time.
(=very exceptional)· A child will only be removed from the parental home in the most exceptional of cases.
(=one that is probably true)· The most likely explanation is that John missed the bus.· The most probable explanation is that the water was contaminated.
British English Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary.
Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary. China’s most-favored-nation trading status with the US Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. Thank you for your help. You’ve been most kind (=said when thanking someone very politely).· At this age, boys were more likely than girls to be active in sports.
I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area. At the time, accepting his offer had seemed the most natural thing in the world. The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre.· After her initial difficulties she has made a very satisfactory recovery.
Africa’s second highest mountain What surprised me most was that she didn’t seem to care. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession.· We live in a very unfair world.
It’s most unfortunate (=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding.· It’s highly unlikely that he’ll survive.
· Gandhi was a most unusual politician.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► make the most of something/get the most out of somethingPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► at your best/worst/most effective etc► the biggest/tallest/most expensive etc ... on earth► next biggest/most common etc► in large part/for the most part
1nearly all of the people or things in a group, or nearly all of something SYN the majority: - It's about ten minutes down the road, fifteen at the most.
- She was given no emotional security at the most influential stage of her life - early puppyhood.
- Spiders may be found at most times of the year except during the coldest weather.
- Ten minutes, fifteen at the most, and the wind would be on them, tearing them from the saddle.
- The Jesuits at Holy Trinity scoffed at most of the conservative critique.
- There are, at most, 20 people at the game, all of them with a family interest.
- We ate eggs at most meals.
- What's that? 15 to 20 yards at the most.
- You find yourself flying coach, and staying at the most reasonable hotel in town.
- Ethnic minorities have struggled to retain their cultural identity, and have for the most part succeeded.
- For the most part, people seemed pretty friendly.
- For the most part, she's a fair person.
- The cell chemistry of these insects is, for the most part, poorly understood.
- You can get good deals there, for the most part
- An engaging blend of poetic characterization and deductive reasoning, it was delivered for the most part in a weary monotone.
- But for the most part he was a normal teenager who looked with confidence to the world soon to open to him.
- Discussion on the petition in Congress was heated and for the most part illogical.
- However, they soon comprised, for the most part, Roma children who were denied access to mainstream education.
- It had been a year of hardship and self-doubt, but for the most part the new managers had persevered.
- The concepts and practices of applied entomology for the most part date from that Stone Age of science.
- Various recommendations were advanced for making changes in the operational plan, but for the most part they got nowhere.
- Guel made the most of her time on court.
- Chuck Levy, meanwhile, was in for 40 offensive plays and made the most of them.
- Enjoy, and make the most of, the benefits that this publicity can bring to you.
- He made the most of it, continuing to dance.
- Meanwhile, Vistec is making the most of the recession and has a Pounds 4m cash pile.
- She made the most of it.
- So what they do is make the most of each player, maximizing their talent.
- The challenge in this book is to make the most of human relationships without becoming a victim. 2.
- Ward objectives will give her guidance in making the most of each allocation.
- Most of the time at work I just answer the phone and type letters.
- Most of the time he's a really nice guy, but sometimes he can be really nasty.
- Most of the time people vote for the party that offers them financial advantages.
- Our two-year-old is happy most of the time, but he wakes up from his naps in an awful mood.
- This place is really busy most of the time.
- And it works too, most of the time.
- Dewar looked gloomy most of the time, being one of life's pessimists.
- Even after that, she continued to have headaches almost daily and felt nauseated most of the time.
- He took no shit from anybody, gambled constantly, and won most of the time.
- I don't like the way I look, most of the time, for all the reasons I've just given.
- Raskolnikov lives with his pain, but most of the time he doesn't focus on it.
- We were hungry and cold most of the time.
- Without visible failure most minds are closed most of the time.
Like most people, I try to take a vacation every year. Most research in this field has been carried out by the Russians.most of It was Sunday and most of the shops were shut. Most of what Hannah told me wasn’t true. Some were barefoot, most were in rags.most of the time/most days etc (=usually) Most of the time it’s very quiet here. Most evenings we just stay in and watch TV.2a larger amount or number than anyone or anything elsethe most The team that scores the most points wins. Which class has the most children in it? It’s unfair that you should have to pay the most when you earn so little. The animal that caused most trouble was a little black puppy.3the largest number or amount possible: The aim is to help patients to obtain most benefit from their treatment.the most The most you can hope to achieve is just to get him to listen to your ideas.4at (the) most used to say that you think an amount cannot be larger than the amount you are mentioning: It’ll take 20 minutes at the most. There were at most 50 people in the audience. The boy looked nine at the very most (=he was probably younger).5for the most part used to say that something is generally true but not completely true: For the most part, people seemed pretty friendly.6make the most of something/get the most out of something to gain the greatest possible advantage from something: Charming and friendly, she will help you make the most of your visit. advice on how to get the most out of your computerGRAMMAR: Patterns with most• You use most before plural nouns to talk about people or things in general: · Most people disagree. ✗Don’t say: The most people disagree.• You say most of the: · Most of the shops are closed. ✗Don’t say: most of shops• You say most of my/her/his etc or many of them/us/you: · Most of my friends are at university.· Most of them are women.