most

1 of 7

adjective

ˈmōst 

1

: greatest in quantity, extent, or degree

the most ability

got the most attention

2

: the majority of

most people

see also:

for the most part

most

2 of 7

adverb (1)

1

: to the greatest or highest degree

—often used with an adjective or adverb to form the superlative

the most challenging job he ever had

2

somewhat formal : to a very great degree

was most persuasive

most

3 of 7

noun

: the greatest amount

it's the most I can do

see also:

at most make the most of

most

4 of 7

pronoun

singular or plural in construction

: the greatest number or part

Most become discouraged and quit.

most

5 of 7

adverb (2)

: almost

We'll be crossing the river most any time now.

—Hamilton Basso

Can most be used in place of almost?: Usage Guide

Although considered by some to be unacceptable in all cases, most is often used to mean "almost" in both spoken and, to a lesser extent, written English to modify the adjectives all, every, and any; the pronouns all, everyone, everything, everybody, anyone, anything, and anybody; and the adverbs everywhere, anywhere, and always. Other uses of this sense of most are dialectal.

most

6 of 7

comparative of many entry 1, much entry 1, much entry 2

-most

7 of 7

adjective suffix

: most

innermost

: most toward

headmost

Synonyms of most

Adjective

• maximum
• utmost
• ultimate

Adverb (1)

• extremely
• very
• incredibly
• highly
• terribly
• too
• so
• damn
• damned
• far
• really
• badly
• much
• especially
• severely
• seriously
• intensely
• that
• desperately
• particularly

Noun

• maximum

Adverb (2)

• almost
• nearly
• practically
• fairly

Examples of most in a Sentence

Adjective

Choosing a color took the most time.

That family owned the most land.

Unfortunately the negative aspects of our schools get the most attention.

Adverb (1)

a most careful driver, especially in bad weather

Noun

this room will accommodate 50 people at the most

Adverb (2)

the cost of most everything is higher nowadays

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Still, most analysts and economists expect a hike after a speech two weeks ago at the Fed’s annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in which Warsh argued that the Fed had not yet achieved its goal of putting inflation in check. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

This preseason, most analysts expected the Ducks to be one of the top few teams in the country. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Bringing together the private shattering of a home with the epic tale of homecoming offers Gluck a distanced, often ironic, stance on her life’s most painful moments. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Set the scene On rugged John’s Island 40 minutes outside of Charleston, Auberge’s Lowcountry debut deftly centers the coastal charm of the South Carolina sea islands—the second most bioactive habitat in the world, after only the Amazon Rainforest. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb (1), Noun, and Pronoun

Middle English, from Old English mǣst; akin to Old High German meist most, Old English māra more — more at more

Adverb (2)

by shortening

Adjective suffix

Middle English, alteration of -mest (as in formest foremost)

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Pronoun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb (2)

circa 1538, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing most

• at most
• at the most
• for the most part
• make the most of
• most likely
• most of the time
• most times
• most valuable player
• the most

Rhymes for most

• boast
• coast
• doest
• dosed
• ghost
• grossed
• almost
• engrossed
• foremost
• hindmost
• impost
• inmost

Kids Definition

most

1 of 5 adjective

ˈmōst 

1

: the majority of

most people believe this

2

: greatest in amount or extent

the most ability

most

2 of 5 adverb

1

: to the greatest or highest level or extent

—often used with an adjective or adverb to form the superlative

most active

most actively

2

: to a very great extent

a most careful driver

most

3 of 5 noun

: the greatest amount, number, or part

most

4 of 5 adverb

: almost

the cost of most everything is higher

-most

5 of 5 adjective suffix

ˌmōst

: most

innermost

Etymology

Adjective suffix

Middle English -most "most"