let alone

1 of 2

conjunction

: to say nothing of : not to mention

—used especially to emphasize the improbability of a contrasting example

… he would never walk again, let alone play golf.

—Sports Illus.

how many ever see an Ambassador or Minister, let alone a President

—Robert Lacville

let alone

2 of 2

phrase

: to leave undisturbed

let the flowers alone

also : to leave to oneself

wanted to be let alone

Synonyms of let alone

Conjunction

• not to mention

Examples of let alone in a Sentence

Conjunction

I don't have enough money for a new car, let alone a luxury sedan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Conjunction

With the special event fast approaching, Lee barely has time to sit down, let alone stop and chat with PEOPLE on the red carpet for the 2026 Webby Awards on May 11. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Would a just and merciful God approve of daily bombing raids and threats to destroy civilian infrastructure, let alone a threat to destroy an entire civilization? —Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

But what more can a billionaire gain from sponsoring the Met Gala, let alone when is already one of the richest men in the world? —Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 11 May 2026

Few production houses in Latin America, let alone Chile, can rival a slate with directors of the caliber of Gálvez, Martelli, Wood, Said and Rivas. —John Hopewell, Variety, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Conjunction

1765, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for let alone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

let alone

conjunction

: to say nothing of : not to mention

lacked the courage, let alone the know-how