least

- 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 morefrequent, 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.

adjective, adverb, determiner, pronoun British English pronunciation: least

/liːst/

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 cause the least damage to the environment.

as a pronoun (without a following noun): People will choose the product that costs least. (after ‘the’): Abe works the hardest, yet he earns the least. (followed by ‘of’): That’s the least of my problems.

as an adverb (after ‘the’ and before an adjective): I think you are the least suitable person for the job. (followed by an adverb): Production was slowest where time was least efficiently used. (with a verb): She was kind to me when I least expected it. (after ‘the’ with a verb): The money seems to go to the people who need it the least.

as an adjective: At the least sign of trouble, he gets scared and quits.

Related dictionary definitions

1
used for referring to a smaller amount than any other amount, or the smallest amount possible
The President seemed to be the one who knew least about the crisis.
He wonders why his most popular songs are always the ones he spends the least time on.
I earn the least out of all of us.
1. a.
  used for emphasizing how small something is, especially when it is so small that it almost does not exist
  He’s a light sleeper and wakes up at the least noise.
  You don’t have the least notion of how I’m feeling at the moment.
  I doubt anything you say will make the least difference to what he does.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
2. b.
  used for emphasizing that a particular problem is smaller or less important than other problems
  the least of something:
  I’ll have to pay for the ticket, but that’s the least of my worries.
  Money is the least of my problems right now.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
3. c.
  used for saying what the smallest amount that should be done about something is, and suggesting that more should really be done
  The least you can do is listen to what I have to say before you reject it completely.
  Let me pay for the dinner – it’s the least I can do.
  The least he deserves is a compliment from time to time.
2
used for saying that someone or something has less of a particular quality than anyone or anything else
Hungary is one of the least polluted of the former East-bloc states.
The least confusing route would be to get on the M6 at Birmingham.
The new taxes will fall on those least able to pay.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
3
used for saying that someone or something does something less often or to a smaller degree than anyone or anything else
This chair squeaks the least.
The man who actually won the car is the one who wanted it least.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
1. a.
  used for mentioning that something happens less often or to a smaller degree than at any other time
  Troubles come when you least expect them.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least

phrases

at least
1. 1
  not less than a particular amount or number, and possibly more
  Mr Gray will remain the director for three years at least.
  The disease killed at least 120 people in England last year.
  We are expecting to at least double our money.
  at the very least (=not less than and probably much more than):
  The journey will take a year, at the very least.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
2. 2
  even if nothing else happens or is true
  At least no one can accuse me of hiding the truth.
  You might at least have waited for me.
  We have reached an agreement that at least gives the company a chance to survive.
  at the very least:
  At the very least the player is guilty of violent behaviour.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
3. 3
  used when mentioning an advantage that exists in spite of the problem or disadvantage that you have just mentioned
  A two per cent pay rise is not very much, but at least it’s better than nothing.
  You lost, but at least you can say you tried.
  The work is difficult, but at least the pay is good.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
4. 4
  used when you are saying something that changes or limits what you have just said
  The election will mean the end, or at least the beginning of the end, of the present system.
  No one saw anything, or at least they’re not talking about it if they did.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
(in) the least
or (in) the least bit
used for emphasizing a negative statement or question
I’m not the least surprised that she’s leaving.
I’m not teaching anything the least bit challenging any more, and that is sad.
Weren’t you concerned in the least about where your son was?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
least of all
used after a negative statement for showing that it applies to a particular person, thing, or group more than any other
None of us is religious, least of all Jim.
There is not much there to attract tourists, least of all the weather.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least
not least
used for emphasizing the importance of a particular aspect of a situation
George is an excellent manager, not least because he is genuinely willing to listen.
Not least among our difficulties is our lack of funding.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of least

showmance

a romantic relationship between two members of the cast of a play, film or television series

BuzzWord Article

More BuzzWords

BuzzWord archive

Word of the Day

shale

a type of smooth dark rock that breaks into thin layers

Word of the Day

Open Dictionary

human-readable

able to be read and understood by people

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

Did you know?

least

What are red words?

Thesaurus

Related dictionary definitions

phrases

at least

(in) the least

or (in) the least bit

least of all

not least

showmance

Word of the Day

shale

human-readable