least

1 of 3

adjective

ˈlēst 

superlative of little entry 1

1

: lowest in importance or position

It's least on my list of 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

least

2 of 3

noun

: one that is least

see also:

at least

least

3 of 3

adverb

superlative of little entry 2

: in the smallest or lowest degree

see also:

least of all

Examples of least in a Sentence

Adverb

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 on the Web

Adjective

Meanwhile, the executive committee of the smallest and least wealthy regional confederation, Oceania (OFC), will meet Wednesday to discuss its approach. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Across in-state, out-of-state and international students, the most to least selective UC campuses for first-year admits in fall 2026 are listed below. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

The scales will be tipped by those least connected to the political parties, and most connected to deliberative process. — David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2019

Respondents were asked to rank 39 possible trends—25 of which were trends from previous years—from 1 (least likely to be a trend) to 10 (most likely to be a trend). — Leah Prinzivalli, SELF, 1 Nov. 2018

Adverb

Ours can start as one page of a contract, on the least interesting sheet in the agreement, the one nobody reads aloud. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

All of the missiles slipped past Ukrainian defenses, killing least 17 people and wounding dozens more. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Noun, and Adverb

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing least

• at least
• at the (very) least
• last but not least
• least common denominator
• least common multiple
• least of all
• least squares
• least tern
• least weasel
• not (in) the least
• not (in) the least/smallest/slightest/tiniest bit
• not least
• take/follow the path/line of least resistance
• the least of
• the least of someone's worries
• the least someone can do
• to say the least

Rhymes for least

• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• pieced
• priest
• yeast

Kids Definition

least

1 of 3 adjective

ˈlēst 

1

: lowest in importance or position

2

: smallest in size or degree

least

2 of 3 noun

: one that is least : something of the lowest possible value or importance

least

3 of 3 adverb

: in the smallest or lowest degree

Medical Definition

least

superlative of little