superlative of little entry 1
1
: lowest in importance or position
It's least on my list of worries.
2
a
: smallest in size or degree
The least noise would startle her.
b
: being a member of a kind distinguished by diminutive size
the least bittern
c
: smallest possible : slightest
believed that the least government was the best government—
Irving Stone
Irving Stone
: one that is least
Examples of least in a Sentence
Adverb
Who was the least at fault in the case?
He asked me to help him when I least expected it.
That was the least important of her reasons.
That was the least interesting book I have ever read.
Recent Examples on the Web
Anne D’innocenzio and Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
The tornado was at least an EF3 on the scale of intensity, with winds estimated between 136 and 165 mph.
—Matthew Cappucci The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
The Associated Press reports that more than half of American adults surveyed plan to make at least one resolution for 2025.
—Brenda Looper, arkansasonline.com, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for least 
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Adjective
And at least 22 restaurant chains filed for bankruptcy this year, the highest number since 2020, according to BankruptcyData, a company that tracks filings.
—Anne D’innocenzio and Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
The tornado was at least an EF3 on the scale of intensity, with winds estimated between 136 and 165 mph.
—Matthew Cappucci The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
The dish was created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel by chef Fred K. Schmidt after guests got bored with traditional ham and egg suppers (or so legend says, at leasts).
—Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020
Adverb
These are the most up-to-date expenditure figures, collected from 914 universities and colleges that grant a bachelor’s degree or higher and spent at least $150,000 in R&D in the prior fiscal year.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
The Associated Press reports that more than half of American adults surveyed plan to make at least one resolution for 2025.
—Brenda Looper, arkansasonline.com, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for least
Dictionary Entries Near least
Cite this Entry
“Least.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/least. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
least
1 of 3 adjective1
: lowest in importance or position
2
: smallest in size or degree
least
2 of 3 noun
: one that is least : something of the lowest possible value or importance
least
3 of 3 adverb
: in the smallest or lowest degree
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