least

[ leest ]

/ list /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR least ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, a superl. of little with less or lesser as compar.

smallest in size, amount, degree, etc.; slightest: He gave the least amount of money of anyone.

lowest in consideration, position, or importance.

noun

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

South Midland U.S. the youngest in a family or group.

adverb superl. of little with less as compar.

to the smallest extent, amount, or degree: That's the least important question of all. He talks least.

Idioms for least

at least,

at the lowest estimate or figure: The repairs will cost at least $100.
at any rate; in any case: You didn't get a good grade, but at least you passed the course.

Also at the least.

not in the least, not in the smallest degree; not at all: I am not in the least concerned about the outcome of the World Series.

Origin of least

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH least

least lest let's

Words nearby least

leaseholder, leaseman, leash, leash law, leasing, least, least bittern, least common denominator, least common multiple, least flycatcher, least killifish

Definition for least (2 of 2)

little

[ lit-l ]

/ ˈlɪt l /

adjective, lit·tler or less or less·er, lit·tlest or least.

small in size; not big; not large; tiny: a little desk in the corner of the room.

short in duration; not extensive; short; brief: a little while.

small in number: a little group of scientists.

small in amount or degree; not much: little hope.

of a certain amount; appreciable (usually preceded by a): We're having a little difficulty.

being such on a small scale: little farmers.

younger or youngest: He's my little brother.

not strong, forceful, or loud; weak: a little voice.

small in consideration, importance, position, affluence, etc.: little discomforts; tax reductions to help the little fellow.

mean, narrow, or illiberal: a little mind.

endearingly small or considered as such: Bless your little heart!

amusingly small or so considered: a funny little way of laughing.

contemptibly small, petty, mean, etc., or so considered: filthy little political tricks.

adverb, less, least.

not at all (used before a verb): He little knows what awaits him.

in only a small amount or degree; not much; slightly: a little-known work of art; little better than a previous effort.

seldom; rarely; infrequently: We see each other very little.

noun

a small amount, quantity, or degree: They did little to make him comfortable. If you want some ice cream, there's a little in the refrigerator.

a short distance: It's down the road a little.

a short time: Stay here for a little.

Origin of little

before 900; Middle English, Old English lȳtel ( lȳt few, small + -el diminutive suffix), cognate with Dutch luttel, Old High German luzzil, Old Norse lītill

SYNONYMS FOR little

1–4 tiny, teeny, wee. Little, diminutive, minute, small refer to that which is not large or significant. Little (the opposite of big ) is very general, covering size, extent, number, quantity, amount, duration, or degree: a little boy; a little time. Small (the opposite of large and of great ) can many times be used interchangeably with little, but is especially applied to what is limited or below the average in size: small oranges. Diminutive denotes (usually physical) size that is much less than the average or ordinary; it may suggest delicacy: the baby's diminutive fingers; diminutive in size but autocratic in manner. Minute suggests that which is so tiny it is difficult to discern, or that which implies attentiveness to the smallest details: a minute quantity; a minute exam.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR little ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM little

lit·tlish

[lit-l-ish, lit-lish] /ˈlɪt l ɪʃ, ˈlɪt lɪʃ/, adjective lit·tle·ness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for least (1 of 2)

least

/ (liːst) /

determiner

the least the superlative of little you have the least talent of anyone
(as pronoun; functioning as sing)least isn't necessarily worst

at least

if nothing elseyou should at least try
at the least

at the least or at least at the minimum at the least you should earn a hundred pounds

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

adverb

the least superlative of little they travel the least of all

adjective

of very little importance or rank

Word Origin for least

Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa less

British Dictionary definitions for least (2 of 2)

little

/ (ˈlɪtəl) /

determiner

(often preceded by a)

a small quantity, extent, or duration ofthe little hope there is left; very little milk
(as pronoun)save a little for me

not much little damage was done

make little of See make of (def. 3)

not a little

very
a lot

quite a little a considerable amount

think little of to have a low opinion of

adjective

of small or less than average size

young a little boy; our little ones

endearingly familiar; dear my husband's little ways

contemptible, mean, or disagreeable your filthy little mind

(of a region or district) resembling another country or town in miniature little Venice

little game a person's secret intention or business so that's his little game!

no little considerable

adverb

(usually preceded by a) in a small amount; to a small extent or degree; not a lot to laugh a little

(used preceding a verb) not at all, or hardly he little realized his fate

not much or often we go there very little now

little by little by small degrees

See also less, lesser, least, littler, littlest

Word Origin for little

Old English lӯtel; related to lӯr few, Old High German luzzil

Idioms and Phrases with least (1 of 2)

least

In addition to the idioms beginning with least

least of all
least resistance, line of

also see:

at least
in the least
last but not least
to say the least

Idioms and Phrases with least (2 of 2)

little

In addition to the idioms beginning with little

little bird told one, a
little by little
little frog in a big pond
little knowledge is a dangerous thing, a
little pitchers have big ears

also see:

a little
every little bit helps
in one's own (little) world
make little of
precious few (little)
think little of
to little purpose
too little, too late

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

least

adjective, a superl. of little with less or lesser as compar.

noun

adverb superl. of little with less as compar.

Idioms for least

Origin of least

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH least

Words nearby least

Definition for least (2 of 2)

adjective, lit·tler or less or less·er, lit·tlest or least.

adverb, less, least.

noun

Origin of little

SYNONYMS FOR little

OTHER WORDS FROM little

British Dictionary definitions for least (1 of 2)

determiner

adverb

adjective

Word Origin for least

British Dictionary definitions for least (2 of 2)

determiner

adjective

adverb

Word Origin for little

Idioms and Phrases with least (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with least (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

least

adjective, a superl. of little with less or lesser as compar.

noun

adverb superl. of little with less as compar.

Idioms for least

Origin of least

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH least

Words nearby least

Definition for least (2 of 2)

adjective, lit·tler or less or less·er, lit·tlest or least.

adverb, less, least.

noun

Origin of little

SYNONYMS FOR little

OTHER WORDS FROM little

Words related to least

British Dictionary definitions for least (1 of 2)

determiner

adverb

adjective

Word Origin for least

British Dictionary definitions for least (2 of 2)

determiner

adjective

adverb

Word Origin for little

Idioms and Phrases with least (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with least (2 of 2)