least
1 of 3adjective
ˈlēst 
superlative of little entry 1
1
: lowest in importance or position
It's least on my list of worries.
2
a
: smallest in size or degree
The least noise would startle her.
b
: being a member of a kind distinguished by diminutive size
the least bittern
c
: smallest possible : slightest
believed that the least government was the best government
Irving Stone
Irving Stoneleast
2 of 3noun
: one that is least
least
3 of 3adverb
superlative of little entry 2
: in the smallest or lowest degree
Example Sentences
Adverb Who was the least at fault in the case? He asked me to help him when I least expected it. That was the least important of her reasons. That was the least interesting book I have ever read.
Recent Examples on the Web San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Last but not least, the parade line finished with La Michoacana ice cream trucks. Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 The queen has been a lasting presence in our lives—not least on our stamps, coins and bank notes—but not an unchanging one. Stephen Fidler, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 The public-facing aspect of the monarchy came with significant drawbacks, not least the intense media interest in the royals’ private lives. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 Not least among those feelings is a sense of belonging. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 But among its cat-vocalization cousins, its rumbles can still be unusually difficult to parse, not least because, across contexts, purrs just sound so similar. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2022 Third, and not least, my house needed more bookshelves or — my beloved spouse’s preferred alternative — fewer books. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Her collaborative approach and commitment to bringing partners with her, has yielded many successes, but not least in leading the development of the work to tackle bullying and harassment with BAFTA. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020 The scales will be tipped by those least connected to the political parties, and most connected to deliberative process. David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2019 Respondents were asked to rank 39 possible trends—25 of which were trends from previous years—from 1 (least likely to be a trend) to 10 (most likely to be a trend). Leah Prinzivalli, SELF, 1 Nov. 2018 Women nominated for Grammy Awards, for instance, were most likely to be recognized for best new artist or song of the year and least likely to be up for producer of the year. August Brown, latimes.com, 25 Jan. 2018 As of now, the Power 5 league least likely to be represented in the playoff is the Pac-12, whose teams have steadily beaten each other; only one of its teams is ranked in The A.P.’s top 15. Marc Tracy, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2017 A pre-emptive U.S. military blow can’t be ruled out, but such a strike carries great risk and is among his least likely options. Robert Burns, The Seattle Times, 6 July 2017 That propels her toward Rex, the bomb-sniffer least likely to be voted Mr. Canine Congeniality. Special To The Washington Post, The Denver Post, 9 June 2017 al, 12 Aug. 2022 That conversation, at least publicly, didn't extend to within the Browns locker room. Chris Easterling, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2022 Previously, Culpeper had been away from the program for some time, at least publicly. Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2022 The outrage that greeted Lasseter’s hiring has quieted, at least publicly, but some in animation remain skeptical about his return. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 July 2022 But the White House has brushed off the polling, at least publicly. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2022 Saban, who’s won seven of those titles, has played it cool from the start, and Fisher has cooled down along the way, at least publicly. Brent Zwerneman, San Antonio Express-News, 17 July 2022 Rice put on a brave face in the wake of that change, at least publicly, telling his industry colleagues that his job still included high-level budget decisions. Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 June 2022 But for now, at least publicly, the United States is endorsing the Ukrainian desire to keep up the battle. New York Times, 14 June 2022 See More
Adjective
Success is often impacted by body type, age, physical ability and last, but not least, the childbearing years. San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Last but not least, the parade line finished with La Michoacana ice cream trucks. Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 The queen has been a lasting presence in our lives—not least on our stamps, coins and bank notes—but not an unchanging one. Stephen Fidler, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 The public-facing aspect of the monarchy came with significant drawbacks, not least the intense media interest in the royals’ private lives. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 Not least among those feelings is a sense of belonging. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 But among its cat-vocalization cousins, its rumbles can still be unusually difficult to parse, not least because, across contexts, purrs just sound so similar. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2022 Third, and not least, my house needed more bookshelves or — my beloved spouse’s preferred alternative — fewer books. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Her collaborative approach and commitment to bringing partners with her, has yielded many successes, but not least in leading the development of the work to tackle bullying and harassment with BAFTA. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 Noun
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote. Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020 The scales will be tipped by those least connected to the political parties, and most connected to deliberative process. David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2019 Respondents were asked to rank 39 possible trends—25 of which were trends from previous years—from 1 (least likely to be a trend) to 10 (most likely to be a trend). Leah Prinzivalli, SELF, 1 Nov. 2018 Women nominated for Grammy Awards, for instance, were most likely to be recognized for best new artist or song of the year and least likely to be up for producer of the year. August Brown, latimes.com, 25 Jan. 2018 As of now, the Power 5 league least likely to be represented in the playoff is the Pac-12, whose teams have steadily beaten each other; only one of its teams is ranked in The A.P.’s top 15. Marc Tracy, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2017 A pre-emptive U.S. military blow can’t be ruled out, but such a strike carries great risk and is among his least likely options. Robert Burns, The Seattle Times, 6 July 2017 That propels her toward Rex, the bomb-sniffer least likely to be voted Mr. Canine Congeniality. Special To The Washington Post, The Denver Post, 9 June 2017 Adverb
Harsin isn’t ready to name a starting quarterback, at least publicly. al, 12 Aug. 2022 That conversation, at least publicly, didn't extend to within the Browns locker room. Chris Easterling, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2022 Previously, Culpeper had been away from the program for some time, at least publicly. Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2022 The outrage that greeted Lasseter’s hiring has quieted, at least publicly, but some in animation remain skeptical about his return. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 July 2022 But the White House has brushed off the polling, at least publicly. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2022 Saban, who’s won seven of those titles, has played it cool from the start, and Fisher has cooled down along the way, at least publicly. Brent Zwerneman, San Antonio Express-News, 17 July 2022 Rice put on a brave face in the wake of that change, at least publicly, telling his industry colleagues that his job still included high-level budget decisions. Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 June 2022 But for now, at least publicly, the United States is endorsing the Ukrainian desire to keep up the battle. New York Times, 14 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Noun, and Adverb
Middle English leest, from Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa less
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing least
Kids Definition
least 1 of 3
adjective
ˈlēst
superlative of little
: smallest in size or degree
The least noise startles her.
least
2 of 3noun
: the smallest or lowest amount or degree
I don't mind in the least.
least
3 of 3adverb
superlative of little
: in or to the smallest degree
You arrived when I least expected you.
Medical Definition
least
superlative of little
at least
phrase
as in always
whatever else is done or is the case It's too bad we ran out of mashed potatoes, but at least there's still plenty of cranberry sauce. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- always
- anyway
- anyhow
- at any rate
- leastwise
- leastways
- in any case
- at all events
- in any event
