Definitions for least
listleast

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 8 votes)Rate this definition:

1. least(adj)

   something that is of no importance

   "it is the least I can do"; "that is the least of my concerns"

2. least(a)(adverb)

   the superlative of `little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

   "didn't care the least bit"; "he has the least talent of anyone"

3. least, to the lowest degree(adverb)

   used to form the superlative

   "The garter snake is the least dangerous snake"

Wiktionary(2.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. least(Adverb)

   Used for forming superlatives of adjectives, especially those that do not form the superlative by adding -est.

   It was the least surprising thing.

Webster Dictionary(3.00 / 5 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Least(adj)

   smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space

   Etymology: [OE. last, lest, AS. lsast, lsest, superl. of lssa less. See Less, a.]

2. Least(adverb)

   in the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it

   Etymology: [OE. last, lest, AS. lsast, lsest, superl. of lssa less. See Less, a.]

3. Least

   see Lest, conj

   Etymology: [OE. last, lest, AS. lsast, lsest, superl. of lssa less. See Less, a.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(5.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Least

   lēst, adj. (serves as superl. of Little) little beyond all others: smallest.—adv. in the smallest or lowest degree.—advs. Least′ways, Least′wise, at least: however.—At least, or At the least, at the lowest estimate: at any rate. [A.S. læst, contr. from læsast, from læssa (adj.), less, læs (adv.).]

2. Least

   lēst, conj. (Spens.). Same as Lest.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'least' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2292

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'least' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3617

3. Adverbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'least' in Adverbs Frequency: #186

Anagrams for least »

1. astel, lates, leats, salet, setal, slate, stale, steal, stela, taels, tales, teals, tesla

How to pronounce least?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say least in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of least in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of least in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of least in a Sentence

1. Ron Blankstein:

   I think the important message is at the very least, you need to pay attention to your underlying risk factors for heart disease, smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol, and if you have erectile dysfunction to make sure that you're treating those even more aggressively.

2. Spencer Arebalo:

   We’re counting on being closed at least one more day.

3. Arnaud Masset:

   We don't expect the Fed to make a move before at least the end of the summer.

4. Anuj Somany:

   There would have been certainly less employee attrition & internal friction, lesser competition creation because of the least number of entrepreneur incubation outside their companies in the market; if those employers had recruited, recognized, rewarded and retained the right talent at the right position within their organisation at any point of time in any generation.

5. Roberto Perli:

   The center of the committee will likely recognize that the data do not suggest any material slowdown in the U.S. economy and that financial markets have stabilized, at least for now, the best course of action in this situation is to leave rate hikes on the table at the next couple of meetings.

Images & Illustrations of least

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