Language Research

least · adverb

/liːst/Full view

at least

A2 as much as, or more than, a number, amount, distance, etc.

Dictionary examples:

It will cost at least $500.

It will take at least an hour to finish.

Learner example:

I can write at least once a week. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

at least

B1 even if nothing else happens or is true

Dictionary example:

Please make sure at least the kitchen is clean.

Learner example:

We could go shopping or at least go and have an ice-cream somewhere. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

at least

B1 something that you say when you are telling someone about an advantage in a bad situation

Dictionary example:

It's a small house but at least there's a deck and a big yard.

Learner example:

It is not impressive but at least it has some things that I like. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

at least

B2 used to reduce the effect of a statement

Dictionary example:

I've met the President - at least, he shook my hand once.

Learner example:

But after years of developing my slalom, I wanted to learn something new, [s]o, I started Hot-Dogging. Hot-Dog is great fun. At least, people say so. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

least

B1 less than anything or anyone else

Dictionary examples:

I got the least expensive thing on the menu.

This group is the least likely of the four to win.

I’m really not the least bit concerned.

It was the answer I least wanted to hear.

Learner example:

Every day was the same and I thought that nothing w[ould] change but I was wrong - something changed and that something happen[e]d on the day I least expected it to. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

last but not least

B2 something that you say to introduce the last person or thing on a list

Dictionary example:

This is Jeremy, this is Cath and, last but not least, this is Eva.

Learner example:

And, last but not least, some complaints were made [about] the entertainment the café provides. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)

not least

C2 especially

Dictionary example:

The whole trip was fascinating, not least because of the people I met.

Learner example:

We are all human beings but we are all different, not least because of a different cultural background. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

not in the least

C2 not at all

Dictionary example:

I don't mind staying at home, not in the least.

Learner example:

Educating two children was not so easy a task, not in the least! (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Farsi)

least · pronoun

/liːst/

least

B2 less than anyone or anything else

Dictionary examples:

He contributed least to the workshop.

Which car costs the least?

He's the relative I like (the) least.

Putting him up for the night was the least I could do.

Learner example:

Taking you to the airport was the least I could do for such a good friend. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

at the very least

C1 not less than, and probably much more than

Dictionary examples:

At the very least, you should apologize.

We should earn $500 at the very least.

Learner example:

Thus, I trust you will agree that at the very least I deserve a letter of explanation from you and a substantial refund of my money. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Korean)

to say the least

C1 used to emphasize that you could have said something in a much stronger way

Dictionary example:

We were surprised, to say the least.

Learner example:

You get slightly bored, to say the least. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

least · determiner

/liːst/

least

B2 the smallest amount

Dictionary examples:

She earns the least money of all of us.

I spent the least time on the third question.

Learner example:

My favorite way to travel is by plane, because I think that the most important point when you are traveling is to arrive [at] your destination in the least time. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)