slightest

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "slightest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an amount that is very small or insignificant. Example sentence: I don't have the slightest clue what I'm going to do next.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She takes Cilla Black, ungainly with her long legs coltishly splayed and drinking from a paper cup, all wrapped up in her limbs, and it's not in the slightest degree humiliating, but lovable.

The Guardian - Arts

— steve hawkes (@steve_hawkes) May 7, 2014 PM sounding like someone who's up for Pfizer if they give just the slightest guarantee that wins PR battle #pmqs — Joey Jones (@joeyjonessky) May 7, 2014 First tranche of PMQs seemed weirdly shambolic; PM, having indulged in pointscoring on housing policy, objects to Ed Mili same re pfizer.

The Guardian

Your ear can discern the slightest perceptible sound, even through the shrillest of noises.

The Guardian - Books

The slightest ambiguities, the most inexplicable transpositions of ideas take place.

The Guardian - Books

This weekend they face the Republic of Ireland in Group C after victories over the Faroe Islands and Austria, but Schweini's outburst means the slightest whiff of discontent will be pounced upon by the German press.

The Guardian - Sport

Nobody thought we had the slightest chance.Being able to get them justice was absolutely fantastic.

The Guardian

Because if I can do even the slightest bit to help hold the current government to account for the many awful aspects of the past five years, then I will.

The Guardian

The slightest hint of a smirk stretches across his face.

The Guardian - Sport

In a small team of about 20 people, the slightest spat now plays out in public under a full media spotlight – including staff demands to turn the paper into a co-operative and criticisms of management's treatment of those suffering the fallout of death threats and grief.

The Guardian

"It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that Sri Lanka are doing well since he took over.

The Guardian - Sport

To think all this time we'd seen him as the withered conjoined twin in the coalition, feebly letting his ideology blow away in the wind for the slightest lick of power.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightest" to emphasize a minimal degree or amount, conveying a sense of near non-existence. For example, "There wasn't the "slightest" chance of success" highlights the almost complete impossibility.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "slightest" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider synonyms like "minimal", "negligible", or "least" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "slightest" functions primarily as a superlative adjective, modifying nouns to indicate the minimum degree or quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightest" is a versatile adjective that serves to emphasize the minimal degree or amount of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in formal and business writing. While it can be used broadly, it's advisable to consider synonyms such as "minimal" or "least" for more formal contexts. The most closely related alternatives include "tiniest bit", "least amount", and "smallest degree". Remember to use "slightest" to convey a sense of near non-existence, as in "There wasn't the "slightest" chance of success".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiniest bit

Focuses on the extremely small quantity, emphasizing its diminutive size.

least amount

Emphasizes the minimal quantity or degree involved.

smallest degree

Highlights the very limited extent or intensity.

faintest trace

Underscores the barely perceptible presence of something.

merest hint

Stresses how subtle and delicate the indication is.

minimal indication

Emphasizes the very low level of evidence or sign.

negligible quantity

Highlights the insignificance of the amount.

scarcest measure

Focuses on the extremely limited or insufficient amount.

virtually imperceptible

Indicates that something is almost impossible to detect.

hardly noticeable

Suggests that something is barely detectable or easy to miss.

FAQs

How can I use "slightest" in a sentence?

You can use "slightest" to emphasize a very small degree or amount, for example: "I don't have the "slightest" idea what to do."

What words can I use instead of "slightest"?

Alternatives to "slightest" include "tiniest bit", "least amount", or "smallest degree".

Is it correct to say "slightest bit" or "smallest bit"?

Both "slightest bit" and "smallest bit" are grammatically correct and can be used to emphasize a very small amount. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "slightest" and "faintest"?

"Slightest" generally refers to a minimal amount or degree, while "faintest" emphasizes something barely perceptible. For instance, "slightest hint" suggests a minimal indication, while "faintest hope" implies a barely existing possibility.