least

adjective \ ˈlēst \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of least

superlative of ¹little

1 : lowest in importance or position

the least of my worries

2 a : smallest in size or degree

The least noise would startle her.

b : being a member of a kind distinguished by diminutive size

the least bittern

c : smallest possible : slightest

believed that the least government was the best government
—Irving Stone

See least defined for English-language learners

See least defined for kids

Recent Examples of least from the Web

Anyway, Alice and Betty are perturbed to say the least.

— jessica macleish, Teen Vogue, ""Riverdale" Recap Season 2 Episode 21: Some People Just Want to Watch Riverdale Burn," 10 May 2018
Trial is scheduled for May 30 in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, but the defendants were back in court Tuesday — or at least their attorneys were there on their behalf.

— michael kiefer, azcentral, "Bribery trial involving Arizona utility regulator and Johnson Utilities weeks away," 9 May 2018
Maybe Luke and Moira can somehow save her; Fagbenle, at least, is on a mission to get his character re-united with his wife.

— laura bradley, HWD, "The Handmaid’s Tale Actor O-T Fagbenle Is Not Here for Your Luke-Bashing," 9 May 2018
Well, at least Detroit would be No. 1 at something.

— brian manzullo, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit sports are an absolute mess, and these stats don't help," 8 May 2018
At least Tuesday was a perfect atmosphere for baseball at Sox Park.

— paul sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Can White Sox be lovable losers as they drop games at franchise-record pace?," 8 May 2018
That, at least, was the original vision Microsoft promoted at the end of 2016.

— mark hachman, PCWorld, "Cortana gets the power of sight in Microsoft's future vision of conference rooms," 7 May 2018
But the red hue might just be Zendaya’s best look yet — at least, until her next red carpet appearance.

— lynsey eidell, Allure, "Zendaya Debuted a Short, Red Bob at the 2018 Met Gala," 7 May 2018
The play in the field looked bad, or at least that's what everyone on Twitter is saying, but Profar didn't shy away from it.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers Reaction: Profar, Hamels plead guilty for Rangers' loss to Red Sox | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 5 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'least.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of least

Middle English leest, from Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa less

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

least

noun

Definition of least

: one that is least

— at least

1 : at the minimum

at least once a week

2 : in any case

at least you have a choice

See least defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of least from the Web

Women nominated for Grammy Awards, for instance, were most likely to be recognized for best new artist or song of the year and least likely to be up for producer of the year.

— august brown, latimes.com, "More than 90% of recent Grammy nominees are men, USC study finds," 25 Jan. 2018
As of now, the Power 5 league least likely to be represented in the playoff is the Pac-12, whose teams have steadily beaten each other; only one of its teams is ranked in The A.P.’s top 15.

— marc tracy, New York Times, "Could the College Football Playoff Shut Out 2 Power Conferences?," 30 Oct. 2017
A pre-emptive U.S. military blow can’t be ruled out, but such a strike carries great risk and is among his least likely options.

— robert burns, The Seattle Times, "Pre-emptive US strike on North Korea could be ‘catastrophic’," 6 July 2017
That propels her toward Rex, the bomb-sniffer least likely to be voted Mr. Canine Congeniality.

— special to the washington post, The Denver Post, "“Megan Leavey” is a canine-human love story," 9 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of least

see ¹least

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

least

adverb

Definition of least

superlative of ²little

: in the smallest or lowest degree

— least of all

: especially not

no one, least of all the children, paid attention

See least defined for English-language learners

Examples of least in a Sentence

Who was the least at fault in the case?
He asked me to help him when I least expected it.
That was the least important of her reasons.
That was the least interesting book I have ever read.

Recent Examples of least from the Web

With no control over the land and likely no chance of getting Council to at least delay the community benefits agreement, the anti-stadium folks have no leverage.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX column: Pay no attention to anti-stadium noise. FC Cincinnati is moving forward," 12 May 2018
Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign and his first year in office, Trump railed against the Iran deal, which may have something to do with the fact that it was widely considered Obama’s crowning achievement, at least in foreign policy.

— elizabeth drew, The New Republic, "America Gets it Wrong on Iran—Again," 11 May 2018
The rest of it, there’s six or seven players at least needed there.

— SI.com, "Former Chelsea Midfielder Claims Arsenal Need 'at Least' 6 or 7 Signings to Compete Next Season," 11 May 2018
But for almost as long as they have been portrayed, they have been characterized as socially deviant or at least responsible for their kids' troubles.

— refinery29.com, "The Evolution Of The Single Mom In TV & Movies," 11 May 2018
Separately, Syria's state news agency conceded that at least one ammunition storage site had been hit, but claimed that the other strikes had been intercepted.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Israel launches military strike against Iranian targets in Syria," 10 May 2018
The idea was to get lost and maybe end up somewhere before 1900—or somewhere that at least looked that way.

— richard brown, Smithsonian, "This Photographer Spent 46 Years Documenting the Vanishing World of Vermont’s Remote Northeast Kingdom," 10 May 2018
The total area holding oystergrass and other intertidal vegetation fringing all sides of the terraces and islands is at least double that.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Cow Trap Lake Project a success on multiple levels," 10 May 2018
Separately, Syria's state news agency conceded that at least one ammunition storage site had been hit, but claimed that the other strikes had been intercepted.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Israel launches massive military strike against Iranian targets in Syria," 10 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of least

see ¹least

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

LEAST Defined for English Language Learners

least

adjective

Definition of least for English Language Learners

: smallest in amount or degree

least

adverb

Definition of least for English Language Learners

: in or to the smallest degree

LEAST Defined for Kids

least

adjective \ ˈlēst \

Definition of least for Students

superlative of little

: smallest in size or degree

The least noise startles her.

least

noun

Definition of least for Students

: the smallest or lowest amount or degree

I don't mind in the least.

— at least

1 : not less or fewer than

Read at least 20 pages.

2 : in any case

At least you have a choice.

least

adverb

Definition of least for Students

superlative of little

: in or to the smallest degree

You arrived when I least expected you.

Medical Dictionary

least

medical Definition of least

superlative of little

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Definition of least

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Origin and Etymology of least

least

Definition of least

Recent Examples of least from the Web

Origin and Etymology of least

least

Definition of least

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Recent Examples of least from the Web

Origin and Etymology of least

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LEAST Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of least for English Language Learners

least

Definition of least for English Language Learners

LEAST Defined for Kids

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Definition of least for Students

least

Definition of least for Students

least

Definition of least for Students

Medical Dictionary

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medical Definition of least

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