Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

most

- definition

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

adverb, determiner, pronoun American English pronunciation: most

/moʊst/

Most is the superlative form of much and many and can be used in the following ways:

as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb): a most interesting lecture ♦ the question that is asked most often. (with a verb): Love is what these children need most. (after "the"): Angie looks the most like her father.

as a determiner (before a noun): Most stores will be closed on Christmas. (after "the"): Which athlete won the most medals?

as a pronoun: All the victims were male, and most were between the ages of 15 and 25. (after "the"): We all ate a lot, but Ashley ate the most. (followed by "of"): Most of my friends live in this area.

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

Get It Right!

1
the largest part of something, or the majority of people or things
Most people think of robots as machines that look like people.
Most business meetings are held at the company's main office.
A few of the moths are gray, but most are white.
most of:
Most of us enjoy shopping.
Johnson spent most of his life in the South.
most days/evenings/weekends etc.:
We go sailing most weekends.
most of the time (=usually):
Most of the time we sit around playing cards.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most
2
used for saying that someone or something has more of a particular quality than any other person or thing
Zurich is Switzerland's most important city.
The English Patient was one of the most successful movies ever made.
Who do you think is most likely to win the next presidential election?
Even the most carefully prepared plans sometimes go wrong.
easily/by far the most:
My time in the navy was by far the most exciting period of my life.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most
3
the largest amount
1. a.
  used for referring to a larger amount or number than any other
  The fairest system is one where those who earn most pay most tax.
  the most:
  It's a competition to see who could drink the most beer in the shortest time.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most
2. b.
  the largest amount or number that is possible
  the most:
  The most that we can do is to prevent the situation from getting any worse.
  To get the most benefit from your training program, read all the documentation carefully.
  We chose the option that would help the most people.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most
4
happening most
1. a.
  to a greater degree than anyone or anything else
  the most:
  Eric had changed the most of the three children since I'd seen them last.
  most of all:
  What I want most of all is to spend more time with my little girl.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most
2. b.
  more often, or for a longer period of time than anyone or anything else
  the most:
  It was Aunt Margaret who complained the most.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most
5
formal used for emphasizing a particular quality
We spent a most enjoyable afternoon wandering through the park.
The landscapes are most beautifully painted in oils.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most
6
American informal used before words such as "everything" or "everywhere" for saying that something is true about almost everyone or everything
The iced tea was very sweet, as it is most everywhere in the South.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most

phrases

at (the) most
used for showing that you are mentioning the largest possible amount, although the real amount may be less
The whole process will take half an hour at the most.
A new engine would cost, at most, two thousand dollars.
at the very most:
She guessed him to be in his late thirties. Forty at the very most.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most
for the most part
used for saying that something is mainly true but not completely true
For the most part we were happy to live alongside each other.
In many countries medical services are state-funded and, for the most part, free.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of most

Get It Right!: most

Get it right: most

Don't use most of before a noun when there is no article or possessive before the noun. Use the pattern most + noun:

✗ Most of banks want to have more and more customers.

✓ Most banks want to have more and more customers.

✗ Most of information on the Internet is written in English.

✓ Most information on the Internet is written in English.

Use the pattern most of before a noun when the noun comes after an article or possessive:

Most of the audience were women.

The road crews do most of their work on Sundays when traffic is light.

Don't use the definite article the before most when there is a noun after most:

✗ In Singapore, the most people speak English fluently.

✓ In Singapore, most people speak English fluently.

✗ Banning smoking is supported by the most of non-smokers.

✓ Banning smoking is supported by most non-smokers.

This is the American English definition of most. View British English definition of most.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for most.

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

More BuzzWords

BuzzWord archive

Word of the Day

dark matter

a substance that scientists think exists out in space, but for which they have no direct proof

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

More submissions

view entries

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog