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

Around 860,000 Brits had tried it least once as of the end of 2025, more than double the figure a year earlier and far above the 15,000 who’d tried the sport by the end of 2019, according to the Lawn Tennis Association. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

The fact that the cast of Nolan’s Odyssey, an American film, looks like America is the least innovative thing about it. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Noun

The dish was created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel by chef Fred K. Schmidt after guests got bored with traditional ham and egg suppers (or so legend says, at leasts). — Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023

This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote. — Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020

Adverb

And unlike last month’s unanimous vote, Wall Street sees at least two dissents in favor of tightening policy at the upcoming meeting. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 July 2026

This year, 14 of the 18 Big Ten teams play at least 10 power conference games. — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 24 July 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