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at the (very) least

idiom

Definition of at the (very) least

—used to indicate the least thing that is true, acceptable, desirable, or certain to happen
  • He wanted to win the race, or at the least, to finish second.
  • It will change your life or, at the very least, teach you something new.
  • At the very least, she deserves to be heard.

Word by Word Definitions

very play

  1. : to a high degree : exceedingly

  2. : in actual fact : truly

  1. : exact, precise

  2. : exactly suitable or necessary

  3. : unqualified, sheer

See the full definition of very
least play

  1. : superlative of little:1

  2. : lowest in importance or position

  3. : smallest in size or degree

  1. : one that is least

  1. : superlative of little:2

  2. : in the smallest or lowest degree

See the full definition of least

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