TKG English Learner's Dictionary

least

leastdeterminer

American /list/ British /liːst/
very commondefining vocabulary

  1. smallest amountused with the before an uncountable noun to mean the smallest amount

    Least is the superlative of little: it picks out the smallest amount among others, whether they are named or only understood (with the least effort). It almost always follows the: the least money, the least effort. For a countable noun, the matching word is the fewest, not the least.

    Collocations

    phrase the least amount of

    Antonyms most

    Compare less (less compares one amount with another; least picks out the smallest of several amounts); little

Phrases

at least

used before a number or amount to mean not less than, and possibly more

At least can also mean even if nothing else is true or good, used to point out one good thing in a bad situation: At least you tried.

Usage

Least is the superlative determiner used with an uncountable noun, almost always after the; the matching superlative for a countable noun is the fewest, not the least.

Common mistakes

She has the least books. She has the fewest books.
Least goes with an uncountable amount; the matching word for a countable noun is fewest.
He has least money of us all. He has the least money of us all.
This determiner use of least almost always needs the before it.

See also less; little; least (least used before an adjective or adverb to form the superlative: the least expensive option)

For translators

Grammar trap Least is the superlative determiner that goes with an uncountable noun; the matching superlative for a countable noun is fewest, not least.