least*/*/*/

least*/*/*/
[liːst]
grammar word summary: Least can be: ■ a determiner: This method takes the least time. ■ a pronoun: Of all the girls, she seemed to know the least. ■ an adverb: Doug is probably the least suitable person for the job. ■ an adjective: At the least sign of trouble, he gives up.
1) a smaller amount than any other
Ant:
most
I earn the least out of all of us.[/ex]
His most popular songs are always the ones he spends the least time on.[/ex]
Let me pay for the dinner – it's the least I can do (= I should probably do more).[/ex]
2) to a smaller degree or less often than any other, or than at any other time
This is one of the least polluted industrial cities.[/ex]
Troubles come when you least expect them.[/ex]
The new taxes hurt those who are least able to pay.[/ex]
•
at least — 1) not less than a particular amount or number[/ex]
The disease killed at least 120 people in England last year.[/ex]
The journey will take a year, at the very least (=a year is the shortest time possible) .[/ex]

— 2) even if nothing else happens or is true

At least no one can accuse me of hiding the truth.[/ex]
You might at least have waited for me.[/ex]

— 3) used for talking about an advantage that exists despite something else

The work is difficult, but at least the pay is good.[/ex]

— 4) used when you are saying something that changes or limits what you have just said

No one saw anything, or at least they say they didn't.[/ex]
in the least; the least bit — used for emphasizing a negative statement or question[/ex]
I'm not interested in him in the least.[/ex]
Aren't you the least bit worried?[/ex]
least of all — used after a negative statement for saying that something applies to a particular person, thing, or group more than any other[/ex]
There is not much there to attract tourists, least of all the weather.[/ex]
not least — used for emphasizing the importance of a particular aspect of a situation[/ex]
George is an excellent manager, not least because he is genuinely willing to listen.[/ex]
to say the least — used for saying that you could have expressed something in a much stronger way[/ex]
I found the flight rather uncomfortable, to say the least.[/ex]
to say the least — used for suggesting that something is worse or more extreme than you are saying[/ex]
He was a difficult person to deal with, to say the least.[/ex]

Dictionary for writing and speaking English. 2014.

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  • least — [ list ] function word *** Least is the superlative form of little and can be used in the following ways: as a determiner (followed by an uncountable noun): He generally takes the path of least resistance. (after the ): These farming methods… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Least — (l[=e]st), a. [OE. last, lest, AS. l[=ae]sast, l[=ae]sest, superl. of l[=ae]ssa less. See {Less}, a.] [Used as the superlative of little.] Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect; the least… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • least — ► DETERMINER & PRONOUN (usu. the least) ▪ smallest in amount, extent, or significance. ► ADJECTIVE ▪ used in names of very small animals and plants: least shrew. ► ADVERB ▪ to the smallest extent or degree. ● at least Cf. ↑ …   English terms dictionary

  • least — [lēst] adj. [ME lest < OE læsest, læst, superl. of læssa, LESS] 1. alt. superl. of LITTLE 2. smallest or slightest in size, degree, importance, etc. [the least movement] 3. Biol. very small: used in names of species or varieties [least… …   English World dictionary

  • least — 1. Least of all means ‘especially not’ and should only be used in negative contexts: • I am not going to try to play the role of prophet, least of all Jeremiah Listener, 1973. 2. Use less, not least, when contrasting two things: • The latter… …   Modern English usage

  • Least — Least, adv. In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • least — least; least·ways; least·wise; …   English syllables

  • Least — Least, conj. See {Lest}, conj. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • least — (adj.) O.E. læst, earlier læsest smallest (superlative of lytel small ), from P.Gmc. superlative *laisistaz (see LESS (Cf. less)). Qualifying phrase at least is M.E. æt læstan. As a noun, from early 12c.; as an adverb, c.1200 …   Etymology dictionary

  • Least — may refer to: *Little *Child …   Wikipedia

  • least — index minimal Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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