least

least is part of the Basic English 850.

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /liːst/
• SAMPA: /li:st/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Determiner

Determiner little

Comparative less

Superlative least

1. (indefinite) (singular) (non-count) the smallest amount of; little of

   She does the most cleaning, but the least cooking.

   No German, least of all the East Germans, wanted Soviet troops to stay.

Synonyms

• minimum
• smallest

Antonyms

• most
• much

Related words

• at least
• to say the least

Adverb

Positive none

Comparative less

Superlative least

1. Having the smallest amount of a characteristic in a group.
   • Antonym: most

   People are least likely to live in the far north.

   The phone always rings just when you least expect it.

Adjective

Positive none

Comparative lesser

Superlative least

1. The least is the smallest amount.
   • Synonyms: smallest and slightest
   • Antonym: greatest

   There are at least four problems with the idea.

   The power is least in this case.

   The least difference is still important.

   Nobody works hard, but she does the least.

   He was not the least bit interested my ideas.

   This accident is the least of our problems.

Usage

Least describes the negative superlative form of all comparable adjectives. For example, with the adjective intelligent, the negative superlative is least intelligent. A similar form is the negative comparative (as in less intelligent).