least

least

smallest; slightest degree: That’s the least of her concerns.

Not to be confused with:

leased – rented for a specified time: She leased a car.

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

least

 (lēst)

adj.A superlative of little

1. Lowest in importance or rank.

2.

a. Smallest in magnitude or degree.

b. Slightest or tiniest: didn't care the least bit.

adv.Superlative of little

To or in the lowest or smallest degree.

n.

One that is the lowest or smallest in importance, rank, magnitude, or degree: The dinner menu is the least of my worries tonight. The least you can do is to be polite.

Idioms:

at least

1. According to the lowest possible assessment; not less than: We waited at least an hour.

2. Regardless of what has occurred or will occur; in any case: You might at least answer the letter.

3. Used to emphasize a somewhat positive aspect following a negative one: The results weren't encouraging, but at least they were accurate.

in the least

At all: I don't mind in the least.

least of all

Particularly not: Nobody cared, least of all the manager.

---

[Middle English, from Old English lǣst; see leis- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

least

(liːst)

determiner

1.

a. the least the superlative of little: you have the least talent of anyone.

b. (as pronoun; functioning as sing): least isn't necessarily worst.

2. at least

a. if nothing else: you should at least try.

b. at the least

3. at the least at least at the minimum: at the least you should earn a hundred pounds.

4. in the least (usually used with a negative) in the slightest degree; at all: I don't mind in the least.

adv

the least superlative of little: they travel the least of all.

adj

of very little importance or rank

[Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa less]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

least

(list)

adj. a superl. of little with less or lesser as compar.

1. smallest in size, amount, degree, etc.; slightest: to pay the least amount of attention.

2. lowest in consideration, position, or importance.

n.

3. something that is least; the least amount, quantity, degree, etc.

adv.

4. superl. of little with less as compar. to the smallest extent, amount, or degree: That's the least important question of all.

Idioms:

1. at least,

a. at the lowest estimate or figure.

b. at any rate; in any case.

2. not in the least, not in the smallest degree; not at all.

[before 950; Middle English leest(e), Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa less]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	least - something that is of no importance; "it is the least I can do"; "that is the least of my concerns" affair, matter, thing - a vaguely specified concern; "several matters to attend to"; "it is none of your affair"; "things are going well"
Adj.	1.	least - the superlative of `little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree; "didn't care the least bit"; "he has the least talent of anyone" superlative - an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); "the critics lavished superlatives on it" most - the superlative of `much' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning the greatest in amount or extent or degree; "made the most money he could"; "what attracts the most attention?"; "made the most of a bad deal"
Adv.	1.	least - used to form the superlative; "The garter snake is the least dangerous snake" to the lowest degree most, to the highest degree - used to form the superlative; "the king cobra is the most dangerous snake"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

least

determiner smallest, meanest, fewest, minutest, lowest, tiniest, minimum, slightest, minimal If you like cheese, go for the ones with the least fat.

at least at the minimum, at the very least, not less than Aim to have at least half a pint of milk a day.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

أقل ما يُمْكِن، الأقَلالأَقَلُالأقَل

nejmenšínejméně

mindstsidst

geringstgeringster

ελάχιστοςπαραμικρός

menosmínimolo menoslo mínimomás mínimo

pieninvähäisinvähin

le moins deminimummoindre

najmanje

legkevésbélegkevesebblegkisebb

minnst, sístminnstur, òaî minnsta

minimominoreper nullapiù piccolosuper. di little

最も少ない

최소의

bentmažiausiasnė kiekvisai ne

vismazākvismazākais

kleinsteminst

minst

najmniejszy

menosmínimo

наименьший

najmanjnajmanjšivsaj

minst

น้อยที่สุด

en azen az miktaren az/ufak miktardaminimum

tối thiểu

最小最小的最少

least

[liːst]

A. ADJ

1. SUPERL of little ²

1.1. (= minimum, smallest amount of) → menor
with the least possible delay → con el menor retraso posible, a la mayor brevedad posible (frm)
choose yoghurts which contain the least fat → elija los yogures que contengan la menor cantidad de grasa
he didn't have the least difficulty deciding → no le costó nada decidir

1.2. (= smallest, slightest) [idea, hint, complaint] → más mínimo
she wasn't the least bit jealous → no estaba celosa en lo más mínimo
we haven't the least idea where he is → no tenemos la más mínima or la menor idea de dónde está
the least thing upsets her → se ofende a la mínima or por lo más mínimo
see also last ¹ C1
see also line ¹ A11

2. (in comparisons) → menos
he has the least money → es el que menos dinero tiene

B. PRON

1. SUPERL of little ²

1.1. (= the very minimum) (gen) → lo menos; (= amount) → lo mínimo
"thanks, anyway" - "it was the least I could do" → -gracias de todas formas -era lo menos que podía hacer
what's the least you are willing to accept? → ¿qué es lo mínimo que estás dispuesto a aceptar?
that's the least of it → eso es lo de menos
the least said the better → cuanto menos se hable de eso mejor
accommodation was basic to say the least → el alojamiento era muy sencillo, por no decir otra cosa
least said, soonest mended → cuanto menos se diga, antes se arregla

1.2. (in comparisons) the country that spends the least on education → el país que menos (se) gasta en materia de enseñanza
that's the least of my worries → eso es lo que menos me preocupa

2.
in the least I don't mind in the least → no me importa lo más mínimo
Pete wasn't in the least in love with me → Pete no estaba ni mucho menos enamorado de mí
"don't you mind?" - "not in the least" → -¿no te importa? -en absoluto or -para nada

3.
at least

3.1. (= not less than) → por lo menos, como mínimo, al menos
I must have slept for at least 12 hours → debo de haber dormido por lo menos or como mínimo or al menos 12 horas
he earns at least as much as you do → gana por lo menos or al menos tanto como tú

3.2. (= if nothing more) → al menos, por lo menos
we can at least try → al menos or por lo menos podemos intentarlo

3.3. (= for all that) → por lo menos, al menos
it's rather laborious but at least it is not dangerous → requiere bastante trabajo pero por lo menos or al menos no es peligroso

3.4. (= anyway) → al menos, por lo menos
Etta appeared to be asleep, at least her eyes were shut → Etta parecía estar dormida, al menos or por lo menos tenía los ojos cerrados

3.5. at the (very) least → como mínimo, como poco

C. ADV → menos
the least expensive car → el coche menos caro
they're the ones who need it the least → son los que menos lo necesitan
when least expected → cuando menos se espera
least of all me → y yo menos, yo menos que nadie
no one knew, least of all me → nadie lo sabía, y yo menos
for a variety of reasons, not least because it is cheap → por toda una serie de razones, entre ellas que es barato

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

least

[ˈliːst]

adv
the least → le moins(la)
the least expensive → le moins cher(la)(chère)
the least expensive hotel → l'hôtel le moins cher
the least expensive seat → la place la moins chère
the least expensive hotels → les hôtels les moins chers
the least expensive seats → les places les moins chères
when I least expected it → alors que je m'y attendais le moins
not least because → principalement parce que

n

the least → le moins
it's the least I can do → c'est le moins que je puisse faire
it was the least I could do → c'était la moindre des choses
not in the least → pas le moins du monde
to say the least → pour ne pas dire plus

at least (with figures, comparisons) → au moins
It'll cost at least £200 → Ça va coûter au moins deux cents livres.

at least (= if nothing more) → au moins
You could at least have written → Tu aurais pu écrire au moins.
At least we know he is still alive → Au moins nous savons qu'il est toujours en vie.
It looks difficult but at least it is not dangerous → Cela a l'air difficile mais au moins ce n'est pas dangereux.
... but at least nobody was hurt → ... mais au moins personne n'a été blessé.

at least (= anyway) → du moins
I spotted my ex-wife; at least I thought I did → J'ai reconnu mon ex-femme; du moins j'ai cru la reconnaître.
It's totally unfair - at least, that's my opinion → C'est vraiment injuste - du moins c'est ce que je pense.

least of all → encore moins
No one ever reads these articles, least of all me → Personne ne lit ces articles, moi encore moins.
Such a speech should never have been made, least of all by a so-called responsible politician → Un tel discours n'aurait jamais dû être prononcé, encore moins par un politicien soi-disant responsable.

adj

the least (smallest amount of) → le moins de
the least money → le moins d'argent

the least (= smallest) → le moindre(la)
I haven't the least idea → Je n'en ai pas la moindre idée.
He doesn't have the least chance of winning → Il n'a pas la moindre chance de gagner.
the least bit
She wasn't the least bit surprised.; She wasn't in the least bit surprised → Elle n'était nullement surprise., Elle n'était pas le moins du monde surprise.

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

least

adj

(= slightest, smallest) → geringste(r, s)

(with uncountable nouns) → wenigste(r, s); he has the least money → er hat am wenigsten Geld

adv

(+vb) → am wenigsten; least of all would I wish to offend him → auf gar keinen Fall möchte ich ihn beleidigen

(+adj) least possible expenditure → möglichst geringe Kosten; the least expensive car → das billigste or preiswerteste Auto; the least important matter → das Unwichtigste; of all my worries that’s the least important → das ist meine geringste Sorge; the least talented player → der am wenigsten talentierte Spieler; the least known → der/die/das Unbekannteste; the least interesting → der/die/das Uninteressanteste; he’s the least aggressive of men → er ist nicht im Mindesten or mindesten aggressiv; not the least bit drunk → kein bisschen or nicht im Geringsten betrunken

n the least → der/die/das Geringste or wenigste; that’s the least of my worries → darüber mache ich mir die wenigsten Sorgen; I have many worries, and money is the least of them → ich habe viele Sorgen, und Geld kümmert mich am wenigsten; it’s the least I can do → es ist das wenigste, was ich tun kann; you gave yourself the least → du hast dir (selbst) am wenigsten gegeben; at least, I think so → ich glaube wenigstens; at least it’s not raining → wenigstens or zumindest regnet es nicht; we can at least try → wir können es wenigstens versuchen; there were at least eight → es waren mindestens acht da; we need at least three → wir brauchen wenigstens or mindestens drei; we need three at the very least → allermindestens brauchen wir drei; there must have been twenty at the very least → es waren mindestens zwanzig da; at the very least you could apologize → du könntest dich wenigstens or zumindest entschuldigen; all nations love football, not least the British → alle Völker lieben Fußball, nicht zuletzt die Briten; and that’s the least of it → und das ist noch das wenigste; not in the least! → nicht im Geringsten!, ganz und gar nicht!; he was not in the least upset → er war kein bisschen or nicht im Geringsten verärgert; to say the least → um es milde zu sagen; the least said, the better, least said, soonest mended (Prov) → je weniger man darüber spricht, desto besser

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

least

[liːst] (little (superl of))

1. adj → minimo/a, più piccolo/a
I haven't the least idea → non ne ho la minima idea
she wasn't in the least bit interested → non era minimamente interessata
she always orders whatever costs the least money → ordina sempre quello che costa di meno
that's the least of my worries → è la cosa che mi preoccupa di meno or che meno mi preoccupa, quella è l'ultima delle mie preoccupazioni

2. n → minimo
it's the least one can do → è il minimo che si possa fare
to say the least → a dir poco
the least said about the meeting, the better → meno parliamo della riunione e meglio è
at least → almeno
I can at least try → posso sempre or almeno provarci
at the very least → come minimo
not in the least → per nulla or niente, affatto

3. adv → meno
the least expensive car → l'auto meno cara
the least qualified girl → la ragazza meno qualificata
she is least able to afford it → è quella che se lo può permettere meno di tutti
least of all me → e men che meno io, tanto meno io
for a number of reasons, not least ... → per una serie di motivi, non ultimo il fatto che...

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

least

(liːst) adjective, pronoun

(something) which is the smallest or the smallest amount that exists, is possible etc. I think the least you can do is apologize!; She wanted to know how to do it with the least amount of bother. die minste أقل ما يُمْكِن، الأقَل най-малък menos nejmenší geringst mindst ελάχιστοlo menos, lo mínimo vähim کمترین؛ کوچکترین vähin le moins הַקָטָן בְיוֹתֵר न्यूनतम najmanji legkevesebb paling sedikit minnstur, það minnsta minimo 最小の 최소의 mažiausias vismazākais paling sedikit atau kecil minstminst, det minstenajmniej لږ،څه نا څه menos cel mai mic; ultimul наименьший najmenší najmanj; najmanjši najmanji minst, minsta น้อย en az, minimum, en az miktar 最低程度 найменший سب سے چھوٹا، اقل ít nhất 最少

adverb

(somethimes with the) to the smallest or lowest degree. I like her (the) least of all the girls; That is the least important of our problems. die minste الأقَل най-малко menos nejméně am wenigsten mindst λιγότεροmenos kõige vähem کمترین vähiten le moins פָּחוֹת מִכָּל कम से कम मात्रा में, अल्पतम परिमाण में najmanje, minimalno legkevésbé paling kurang minnst, síst meno 最も少なく 가장 적게 mažiausiai vismazāk paling tidak minstminstnajmniej لږ menos cel mai puţin менее всего najmenej najmanj najmanje minst, minsta น้อยสุด en az/ufak miktarda 最小 щонайменше, в найменшій мірі اقل مقدار ít nhất 最小

at least

at any rate; anyway. I think she's well – at least she was when I saw her last. ten minste على الأقَل поне pelo menos alespoň wenigstens i det mindste τουλάχιστονpor lo menos vähemalt لااقل ainakin du moinsלפחות कम से कम bar legalább paling tidak að minnsta kosti almeno 少なくとも 적어도 bent (jau) vismaz sekurang-kurangnya tenminstei det minste, i hvert fall, alltidsprzynajmniej څه نا څه pelo menos cel pu­ţin во всяком случае aspoň vsaj barem åtminstone อย่างน้อย hiç değilse, en azından 至少 принаймні کم از کم ít nhất 至少

not in the least

not at all. You're not disturbing me in the least! nie in die minste nie إطْلاقا، البَتَّه، أبدا изобщо de modo nenhum vůbec ne nicht im geringsten ikke det mindste καθόλουpara nada, en absoluto sugugi ابدا؛ اصلا ei ollenkaan pas le moins du monde כְּלָל וּכלָל לא अंशत: nimalo, uopće egyáltalán nem sama sekali tidak ekki vitund , affatto 少しも～ない 조금도 …않다 nė kiek, visai ne nepavisam; ne mazākā mērā langsung tidak niet in het minst ikke det minste, absolutt ikke wcale nie اصلا،هيڅ وخت نه de modo nenhum câtuşi de puţin ничуть vôbec nie niti najmanj ni najmanje inte det minsta ไม่เลย hiç, zerre kadar 毫無 анітрохи, ніскільки ہرگز نہیں không có gì 丝毫没有

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

least

→ الأَقَلُ nejmenší sidst geringster ελάχιστος más mínimo vähäisin minimum najmanje minimo 最も少ない 최소의 kleinste minst najmniejszy menos наименьший minst น้อยที่สุด en az tối thiểu 最小的

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

least

(super de little and few) adj menor; the least harm..el menor daño; adv menos; the least invasive option..la opción menos invasiva

English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.