least
gb/lˈist/ us/lˈist/
A2
English
~ 300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
smallest in amount or degree
Smallest in amount, size, or level.
Usage pattern:
the least [noun/adjective]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'least' with 'less'; 'less' is for comparing two things, 'least' is for comparing three or more or indicating the minimum possible.
Synonyms
smallest (Refers to physical or measurable size more than importance or degree.)
Antonyms
most (Indicates the greatest amount or degree, opposite of 'least'.)
Collocations
least amount
|least important
|least expensive
|least likely
|at least
Themes
measurement
|comparison
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This is the least expensive option available.
- She showed the least interest in the project.
- Of all the players, he is the least experienced.
Learner examples
- This is the least big bag here.
- He is the least tall boy in the class.
- It is the least cold day this week.
adverb
A2
relation
2
to the smallest extent
Used to say that something happens in a very small way or is not true at all.
Usage pattern:
least [verb/adjective]
Common mistake:
Learners may omit 'the' before 'least' in superlative forms used adverbially.
Synonyms
minimally (Focuses on the absolute minimum degree of something.)
Antonyms
most (Indicates the greatest extent or degree, opposite of 'least'.)
Collocations
least likely
|least understood
|least expected
Themes
measurement
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was the one who complained the least.
- I like it least when people are rude.
- He worries least about money.
Learner examples
- I eat vegetables the least.
- She talks the least in the group.
- He studies English the least of all students.
Noun
B1
entity
3
smallest possible amount
The smallest amount or level of something.
Usage pattern:
the least of [something]
Synonyms
minimum (More formal and technical; often used in measurements or requirements.)
Antonyms
maximum (The largest possible amount or degree, opposite of 'least'.)
Collocations
the least of my worries
|at the very least
Themes
measurement
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The noise was the least of my problems.
- At the very least, call me when you arrive.
- That’s the least we can do.
Learner examples
- It is the least of my problems.
- At the least, tell me your name.
- The cost is the least I can pay.
Grammar
Dictionary form
least
IPA
GB/lˈist/
US/lˈist/
Syllables & stress
least (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (least)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: least
- Comparative: leaster
- Superlative: leastest
Noun
- Base: least
- Plural: leasts
Word family
Forms
leasts
noun
leaster
adjective
leastest
adjective
Expressions
to say the least
1/tə sˈeɪ ðə lˈist/
idiom
used for understatement
Used to show that what you said is not strong enough to describe how bad, good, or extreme something really is.
Examples
- His behavior was rude, to say the least.
- The trip was exhausting, to say the least.
at least
1/ˈæt lˈist/
fixed phrase
no less than stated amount/fact
Used to show that a number or fact is not less than what you say, or to add a positive point after something negative.
Examples
- You should sleep for at least seven hours a night.
- It’s cold, but at least it’s not raining.
at least
2/ˈæt lˈist/
fixed phrase
No less than a stated amount
Shows the smallest number or level possible, or gives a positive side.
Examples
- You should sleep for at least eight hours.
- At least we finished the project on time.
at the very least
1/ˈæt ðə vˈɛɹi lˈist/
fixed phrase
minimum possible requirement
Used to say that something is the smallest thing that should be done or expected.
Examples
- You could have called me, at the very least.
- At the very least, wear a helmet when cycling.
at the very least
2/ˈæt ðə vˈɛɹi lˈist/
fixed phrase
No less than stated amount
Used to say that something is the smallest amount or degree that could be true or acceptable.
Examples
- You should, at the very least, call her to apologize.
- At the very least, we can offer them some food and water.