most

Universal Words determiner, pronoun, adverb determiner, pronoun (used as the superlative of 'much', 'a lot of', 'many') 1 the largest in number or amount: Who do you think will get (the) most votes? * She had the most money of all of them. * I spent most time on the first question. * Who ate the most? * The director has the most to lose. HELPNOTE The can be left out in informal BrE. 2 more than half of sb/sth; almost all of sb/sth: I like most vegetables. * Most classical music sends me to sleep. * As most of you know, I've decided to resign. * Most of the people I had invited turned up. * There are thousands of verbs in English and most (of them) are regular. HELPNOTE The is not used with most in this meaning. IDIOMS at (the) most not more than: As a news item it merits a short paragraph at most. * There were 50 people there, at the very most. adverb 1 used to form the superlative of adjectives and adverbs of two or more syllables: the most boring / beautiful part * It was the people with the least money who gave most generously. HELPNOTE When most is followed only by an adverb, the is not used: This reason is mentioned most frequently, but the most frequently mentioned reason. 2 to the greatest degree: What did you enjoy (the) most? * It was what she wanted most of all. HELPNOTE The is often left out in informal English. 3 (formal) very; extremely; completely: It was most kind of you to meet me. * We shall most probably never meet again. * This technique looks easy, but it most certainly is not. 4 (AmE, informal) almost: I go to the store most every day.