least

Universal Words determiner, pronoun, adverb determiner, pronoun (usually the least) smallest in size, amount, degree, etc: He's the best teacher, even though he has the least experience. * She never had the least idea what to do about it. * He gave (the) least of all towards the wedding present. * How others see me is the least of my worries (= I have more important things to worry about). * It's the least I can do to help (= I feel I should do more). IDIOMS at the (very) least used after amounts to show that the amount is the lowest possible: It'll take a year, at the very least. not in the least not at all: Really, I'm not in the least tired. * 'Do you mind if I put the television on?' 'No, not in the least.' moreatSAYv. adverb to the smallest degree: He always turns up just when you least expect him. * She chose the least expensive of the hotels. * I never hid the truth, least of all from you. IDIOMS at least 1 not less than: It'll cost at least 500 dollars. * She must be at least 40. * Cut the grass at least once a week in summer. * I've known her at least as long as you have. 2 used to add a positive comment about a negative situation: She may be slow but at least she's reliable. 3 even if nothing else is true or you do nothing else: You could at least listen to what he says. * Well, at least they weren't bored. 4 used to limit or make what you have just said less definite SYNANYWAY: They seldom complained-officially at least. * It works, at least I think it does. not least (written) especially: The documentary caused a lot of bad feeling, not least among the workers whose lives it described. moreatLASTadv., LINEn., SAYv.