least

USAGE SUMMARY

"least" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adverb, adjective, or noun in order to compare two or more things. Example: Of the three options, I like the least expensive one the best.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was one of the most gentle and unflappable politicians I have ever known, yet he was immensely courageous, too, not least when he spoke for the country against the invasion of Iraq".

The Guardian

At least respect the part you play".

The Guardian

"I want to bring our country together, our United Kingdom together, not least by implementing as fast as we can the devolution that we rightly promised and came together with other parties to agree both for Wales and for Scotland.

The Guardian

Instead, a Labour government will raise them at least in line with inflation in every budget".

The Guardian

That, at least, is the theory.

The New York Times - Health

That, at least, was the theory.

The New York Times - Health

Not in the least.

The New York Times

For now, at least.

Forbes

Insurgents killed at least four soldiers in an ambush on Monday.

The Guardian

The federal appeals court in Atlanta ordered that the execution should be delayed for at least 30 days, while a Georgia court of appeals imposed its own stay to give the courts more time to consider the propriety of the single lethal injection as a method of killing.

The Guardian

Writers who successfully complete the course will receive a successful completion certificate from UEA, which will be made on the basis of ongoing assessment and a final submission of at least 10,000 words.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at least" to indicate a minimum requirement or to soften a statement (e.g., "At least try", "It will take at least an hour").

Common error

Avoid using "least" with countable nouns; instead, use "fewest". For example, it's incorrect to say "the least apples"; the correct phrase is "the fewest apples".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "least" primarily functions to indicate the minimum degree or extent of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can be used to form superlatives, especially with adjectives that don't use '-est'. The provided examples in Ludwig illustrate its application in various contexts, such as "the least surprising thing".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least" is a versatile term used to express the minimum degree, amount, or importance of something. As verified by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverb, adjective, and determiner. Its correct usage involves understanding its role in forming superlatives and differentiating it from "less" and "fewest". Remember to use "least" with uncountable nouns and in contexts where you need to indicate the smallest extent. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately incorporate "least" into your writing, as demonstrated by the numerous real-world examples found on Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smallest amount

Focuses on the quantity aspect of "least", emphasizing the minimal quantity.

minimum degree

Highlights the intensity or extent being at its lowest level, similar to "least".

to the smallest extent

Emphasizes the range or scope being at its minimum, akin to "least".

lowest level

Specifies a hierarchical position, indicating the bottom or most reduced state, mirroring "least".

negligible amount

Suggests the quantity is so small it can be disregarded, like something of "least" importance.

inadequate quantity

Highlights that the amount is not sufficient, similar to the idea of "least" being the minimum.

scant amount

Emphasizes the quantity is barely sufficient, aligning with the sense of "least".

to a limited extent

Indicates the scope or range is restricted, resembling the concept of "least".

hardly any

Stresses the near absence of something, conveying a sense of "least" quantity.

at a minimum

Suggests the lowest possible level or requirement, similar to "least" when used to specify the smallest acceptable amount.

FAQs

How do I use "least" in a sentence to show the minimum?

You can use "least" to indicate the smallest amount or degree, such as "He earns the "least money" in his family" or "That's the "least I could do"".

What are some alternatives to saying "at least"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "at a minimum", "anyway", "in any event", or "nonetheless" as alternatives to "at least".

Which is correct, "least" or "fewest"?

"Least" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "least amount of water"), while "fewest" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "fewest number of apples"). Using them interchangeably is a common error.

What's the difference between "least" and "less"?

"Less" is used for comparative degrees between two things, while "least" is used for superlative degrees among three or more things. For example, "This box has less weight than that one," but "This is the box with the "least weight" of all".