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

During the 2009 college football season, for instance, most sports media followed the exploits of Alabama, which finished 14-0 and defeated the University of Texas, 37-21, in the national title game at the Rose Bowl. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

In Forrest County, between Jackson and Gulfport, the county clerk's office said Monday evening that most affidavit ballots there had been processed but not yet reported to the state. — Gregory S. Schneider The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026

Adverb

With the full cooperation of a handful of influential boosters, most notably the late Dick Lowe, Dry was the coach when TCU joined the rest of its SWC members in paying some players when that act was a cardinal sin in NCAA sports. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Nov. 2026

Voters told pollsters that the issues most crucial to them were government corruption and the cost of living. — Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 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"