# most

/ˈmoʊs/ (US) · /mˈəʊst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/most
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the majority

determiner · CEFR A1

more than half of a group or the largest part of something.

For teachers: denoting the majority or the greatest number or amount of a class or group.

- Most students in the class decided to go on the field trip.
- Most research suggests that consistent sleep patterns are more beneficial for cognitive function than the total number of hours slept.

Usage: used without 'the' when referring to a general majority of a plural or uncountable noun.

### 2. the greatest number

determiner · CEFR A2

the largest amount or number compared to others.

For teachers: the superlative of 'many' or 'much', indicating the greatest quantity or degree among several.

- The person with the most points at the end of the game wins.
- The candidate who secures the most votes in the primary election will represent the party in the general race.

Usage: usually preceded by the definite article 'the'.

### 3. forming superlatives

adverb · CEFR A1

you use this before long adjectives to show they are at the highest level.

For teachers: used to form the superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs, typically those of two or more syllables.

- This is the most beautiful park I have ever visited.
- The most significant challenge facing the engineering team was the integration of legacy software with the new cloud-based architecture.

Usage: placed immediately before the adjective or adverb it modifies.

### 4. very or highly

adverb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to a very great degree.

For teachers: used as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.

- That was a most interesting lecture on the history of art.
- The committee found his contribution to the project to be most helpful during the final stages of development.

Usage: often used in formal writing or polite speech.

### 5. the largest part

pronoun · CEFR B1

the greatest number or amount of people or things.

For teachers: the greatest part or number of a specified group, acting as the head of a noun phrase.

- Most of the cake was eaten before I even got to the party.
- While some residents preferred the new park design, most of those surveyed felt the funds should be allocated to road repairs.

Usage: often followed by 'of'.

### 6. almost

adverb · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal · Dialect

nearly or almost.

For teachers: a shortened form of 'almost'.

- I go to that coffee shop most every morning before work.
- Most anyone you ask in this town will be able to give you directions to the old lighthouse.

Teaching tip: This is common in casual American speech but should be avoided in formal writing where 'almost' is preferred.

### 7. the best

adjective · CEFR C2 · Slang · Archaic

the greatest or the coolest.

For teachers: denoting something that is the greatest, most impressive, or most fashionable.

- That jazz performance last night was really the most.
- In the height of the 1950s beatnik scene, a particularly impressive party might be described as being the most.

Teaching tip: This sense is mostly found in mid-20th-century slang (like 'the most') and is rarely used by modern speakers except in a retro or humorous way.

## Examples

- Most people like to eat pizza.
- Most students in the class passed the final exam with high marks.
- While some critics found the ending controversial, most viewers appreciated the emotional closure provided by the final scene.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.