least
adv. · pron. · n.-
1 to the smallest degree (adv.) B1 Intermediateused to show that something is true to the smallest degree.
used to form the superlative of adjectives or to modify verbs, indicating the lowest degree or intensity.
ExampleThis was the least expensive car in the entire showroom.
ExampleOf all the proposed solutions, this one is the least likely to cause long-term environmental damage to the local ecosystem.
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2 the smallest thing (pron.) B1 Intermediatethe smallest thing or the smallest amount possible.
the smallest amount, extent, or importance, often used as the object of a verb or preposition.
ExampleThe least you can do is say thank you for the gift.
ExampleWhile the fine was substantial, it was the least of his worries compared to the potential loss of his professional license.
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3 insignificant people (n.) C2 Proficiency Literary Formal Philosophypeople who have the lowest rank or the least power.
the lowest-ranking or most insignificant members of a group.
ExampleThe king promised to care for even the least of his subjects.
ExampleThe ethical framework demands that we consider the impact of our policies on the least among us, rather than just the powerful.
UsageOften appears in the phrase 'the least of these' or 'the least among us'.
- lowliest
- humblest
The adjective, determiner, and noun are derived from Middle English leste, lest, last (“(adjective) smallest, least; (noun) smallest thing, etc.; person or thing least in importance; etc.”), from Old English lǣst, a contraction of læsast, læsest (“least”) (also lærest in only one source), from Proto-Germanic laisistaz (“smallest, least”), from laisiz (“less”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European leh₂is- or leh₃is-; whence modern English less) + *-istaz (“suffix forming superlative forms of some adjectives”). The adverb and pronoun are derived from the adjective or determiner. cognates * Old Frisian leist * Old Saxon lēs
Contraction of at least.