1
: greatest in quantity, extent, or degree
the most ability
got the most attention
2
: the majority of
most people
see also:
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
singular or plural in construction
: the greatest number or part
Most become discouraged and quit.
: almost
We'll be crossing the river most any time now.—
Hamilton Basso
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
innermost
: most toward
headmost
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
John Liu, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Come July, after years of criticism directed at LAHSA for mismanagement, the county will have moved most of its funding from the joint city-county agency and transferred it to a new county department.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
Some of their most captivating dishes are the result of complete acts of wildness, with many racing from idea to fruition in the hours before service.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for most
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Richard Jones, a crude oil analyst at Energy Aspects, told CNN that Iran has boosted exports since mid-February and private refineries can still access some Iranian oil through their floating storage vessels, most of which are off Singapore.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Come July, after years of criticism directed at LAHSA for mismanagement, the county will have moved most of its funding from the joint city-county agency and transferred it to a new county department.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Between hanging art from local photographers and painters, rotating pop-up art classes, and the warm crackle of live music or spinning vinyl records, the space feels like the city’s most welcoming living room.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
Some of their most captivating dishes are the result of complete acts of wildness, with many racing from idea to fruition in the hours before service.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for most
Cite this Entry
“Most.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/most. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
most
1 of 5 adjective1
: the majority of
most people believe this
2
: greatest in amount or extent
the most ability
most
2 of 5 adverb1
: 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 suffixˌmōst
: most
innermost
Etymology
Adjective suffix
Middle English -most "most"
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