let alone

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 golfSports Illus.
how many ever see an Ambassador or Minister, let alone a PresidentRobert Lacville

Examples of let alone in a Sentence

I don't have enough money for a new car, let alone a luxury sedan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There have long been debates in churches about whether just listening to worldly music was sinful, let alone playing it. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2025 Portside Adirondack Chair Adirondack chairs are notoriously pricey, but this one is contract grade, made with moisture-resistant solid mahogany and eucalyptus wood that is durable and well-worth its original value—let alone the sale price. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025 Hausman wasn't interested, at first, in sharing her story widely or asking for additional help from her friends and family, let alone from strangers. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025 The cacophony contained within the glass of an NHL rink can be difficult to describe, let alone comprehend. Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for let alone

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of let alone was in 1765

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Let alone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20alone. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

let alone

conjunction
: to say nothing of : not to mention
lacked the courage, let alone the know-how
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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