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least
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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈliːst/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/list/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(lēst)
- From little (adj):
- littler
- adj comparative (For size or age—e.g."That tree is little, but the tree next to it is even littler.")
- littlest
- adj superlative (For size or age—e.g. "Theo is the littlest of my three little brothers.")
- less
- adj comparative (For amount—e.g. "I have little money. Certainly less money than him.")
- lesser
- adj comparative (For degree or intensity—e.g. "She has little love for him. Certainly, her love for him is lesser than her love for her mother.")
- least
- adj superlative (For amount—e.g. "I have little money, but Jim is the one who has least money out of all of us.")
- From little (adv):
- less
- adv comparative (When talking about amount)
- lesser
- adv comparative (To modify an adjective—e.g. "That is a little-known work of art, but this is an even lesser-known one.")
- least
- adv superlative
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026least /list/USA pronunciation
adj., [a superlative of] little with less or lesser as comparative.
- smallest in size, amount, degree, etc.;
slightest;
lowest in amount:wasn't paying the least attention.
n. [uncountable;
the + ~]
- something that is least:Your little problem is the least of my worries right now.
adv. - [superl. of] little with less as compar. to the smallest extent, amount, or degree:That's the least important question of all.
Idioms
- Idioms at least:
- at the lowest estimate or figure:We'll have to pay $500 at least to cover that damage.
- at any rate;
in any case:At least she wasn't hurt.
- Idioms not in the least, not in the smallest degree:not worried in the least.
- to say the least, This expression is used to express the belief that a situation or circumstance is even worse than stated:The result will be terrible inflation, to say the least.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026least
(lēst),USA pronunciation adj., [a superl. of] little with less or lesser as compar.
- smallest in size, amount, degree, etc.;
slightest:He gave the least amount of money of anyone.
- lowest in consideration, position, or importance.
n. - something that is least;
the least amount, quantity, degree, etc.
- Dialect Terms[South Midland U.S.]the youngest in a family or group.
- Idioms at least:
- at the lowest estimate or figure:The repairs will cost at least $100.
- at any rate;
in any case:You didn't get a good grade, but at least you passed the course.Also, at the least.
- Idioms not in the least, not in the smallest degree;
not at all:I am not in the least concerned about the outcome of the World Series.
adv. - [superl. of] little with less as compar. to the smallest extent, amount, or degree:That's the least important question of all. He talks least.
- Middle English leest(e), Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa less bef. 950
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
least /liːst/ determiner - the least ⇒
- the superlative of little: you have the least talent of anyone
- (as pronoun; functioning as singular): least isn't necessarily worst
- at least ⇒
- if nothing else: you should at least try
- at the least
- at the least, at least ⇒ at the minimum: at the least you should earn a hundred pounds
- in the least ⇒ (usually used with a negative) in the slightest degree; at all: I don't mind in the least
adv - the least ⇒ superlative of little: they travel the least of all
adj - of very little importance or rank
Etymology: Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa less less /lɛs/USA pronunciation
adv., [a comparative of little with least as superlative.]
- to a smaller length, amount, or degree:a less-developed country.
- to say nothing of:[much/still + ~]I could barely pay for my own meal, much less hers.
- in any way different;
other:[with a negative word or phrase]He's nothing less than a thief.
adj., [a compar. of little with least as superl.]
- smaller in size, amount, degree, etc.:He has less money than before.
- lower in consideration, rank, or importance:complained to no less a person than the mayor (= to no one ranking lower than the mayor).
- fewer:There were less than ten speakers before me.
n. [uncountable]
- a smaller amount or quantity:She eats less every day.
- something not as important:People have been imprisoned for less.
prep. - minus;
without;
subtracting:a year less two days.
Idioms
- Idioms less and less, to a decreasing extent or degree:I see less and less of my sister these days.
-less, suffix.
-
- -less is attached to nouns to form adjectives with the meaning "without, not having (the thing or quality named by the noun)'':care + -less → careless;
shame + -less → shameless
- -less is also attached to verbs to form adjectives with the meaning "that cannot be'' plus the -ed/en form of the verb;
or "that never'' plus the -s form of the verb:tire + -less → tireless (= that never tires);count + -less → countless (= that cannot be counted).
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026less•er /ˈlɛsɚ/USA pronunciation
adj., [a comparative of little with least as superlative.]
- smaller, as in size, value, or importance:a lesser evil.
adv., [a compar. of little with least as superl.]
- less.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026lit•tle /ˈlɪtəl/USA pronunciation
adj., lit•tler or less /lɛs/USA pronunciation or less•er, lit•tlest or least/list/USA pronunciation adv., less, least, n. adj. - small in size, amount, or scale;
not big:[before a noun]a little desk; a little voice.
- short in length, duration, or extent;
brief:[before a noun]Give me a little time.
- small in number:[before a noun]a little group of scientists.
- This word is used before a noun and without the article a to mean "small in amount or degree;
not much,'' and is used to emphasize the feeling that the amount is not as much as one would like:[before a noun]There is little hope of victory. I have very little money left.
- This word, when preceded by the article a, is used to mean "of a certain amount;
some;
more than expected, appreciable,'' and is used to emphasize the feeling that the amount is enough or sufficient, though perhaps just barely so:[before a noun;a + ~ + noun]I have a little money left; maybe it's enough for the movies. We're having a little difficulty.
- younger or youngest:[before a noun]her little brother.
- minor;
unimportant:life's little pleasures.
- mean, narrow, or not willing to understand others:little minds.
- This word is sometimes used before a noun to indicate feelings of affection or amusement:[before a noun]Bless your little heart!
adv. - not at all:[before a verb]He little knows what awaits him.
- This word is used with or without the article a to mean "in only a small amount or degree;
not much;
slightly,'' and emphasizes the feeling that the action or the amount indicated is not very much and is perhaps less than would be best:a little known work of art; She's little better than she was before the treatment.
n. - This word is used without the article a as a noncount noun to mean "a small amount, quantity, or degree,'' and to emphasize the feeling that the amount is less than might be expected or proper:[uncountable]They did little to make us comfortable.
- This word, when preceded by the article a, is used to mean "a certain amount;
some;
an amount perhaps more than expected,'' and is used to emphasize the feeling that the amount is enough or sufficient, though perhaps just barely so:[countable;singular;a + ~]Save a little for me.
- a short distance:[countable;singular;a + ~]It's down the road a little.
- a short time:[countable;singular;a + ~]Stay here for a little.
Idioms
- Idioms little by little, by small degrees;
gradually:Little by little he was improving.
lit•tle•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026less
(les),USA pronunciation adv., [a compar. of] little [with] least [as superl.]
- to a smaller extent, amount, or degree:less exact.
- most certainly not (often prec. by much or still):He could barely pay for his own lodging, much less for that of his friend.
- in any way different;
other:He is nothing less than a thief.
- Idioms less than, by far short of being;
not in the least;
hardly at all:The job is less than perfect.
adj., [a compar. of] little [with] least [as superl.]
- smaller in size, amount, degree, etc.;
not so large, great, or much:less money; less speed.
- lower in consideration, rank, or importance:no less a person than the manager.
- fewer:less than a dozen.
n. - a smaller amount or quantity:Hundreds of soldiers arrived, but less of them remained.
- something inferior or not as important:He was tortured for less.
prep. - minus;
without:a year less two days; six dollars less tax.
- bef. 900; Middle English; Old English lǣs (adverb, adverbial), lǣssa (adjective, adjectival); cognate with Old Frisian lês (adverb, adverbial), lêssa (adjective, adjectival). See least
Even though less has been used before plural nouns (less words; less men) since the time of King Alfred, many modern usage guides say that only fewer can be used in such contexts. Less, they say, should modify singular mass nouns (less sugar; less money) and singular abstract nouns (less honesty; less love). It should modify plural nouns only when they suggest combination into a unit, group, or aggregation:less than $50(a sum of money); less than three miles (a unit of distance). With plural nouns specifying individuals or readily distinguishable units, the guides say that fewer is the only proper choice:fewer words; fewer men; no fewer than 31 of the 50 states.Modern standard English practice does not reflect this distinction. When followed by than, less occurs at least as often as fewer in modifying plural nouns that are not units or groups, and the use of less in this construction is increasing in all varieties of English:less than eight million people; no less than 31 of the 50 states.When not followed by than, fewer is more frequent only in formal written English, and in this construction also the use of less is increasing:This year we have had less crimes, less accidents, and less fires than in any of the last five years.
-less,
- an adjective suffix meaning "without'' (childless;
peerless), and in adjectives derived from verbs, indicating failure or inability to perform or be performed (resistless;
tireless).
- cognate with Old Norse lauss, German los, loose Middle English -les, Old English -lēas, special use of lēas free from, without, false
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026less•er
(les′ər),USA pronunciation adj., [a compar. of] little [with] least [as superl.]
- smaller, as in size or importance;
inferior:a lesser evil.
adv., [a compar. of] little [with] least [as superl.]
- less.
- Middle English lasser, lesser. See less, -er4 1175–1225
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026lit•tle
(lit′l),USA pronunciation adj., lit•tler or less or less•er, lit•tlest or least, adv., less, least, n. adj. - small in size; not big;
not large;
tiny:a little desk in the corner of the room.
- short in duration;
not extensive;
short;
brief:a little while.
- small in number:a little group of scientists.
- small in amount or degree;
not much:little hope.
- of a certain amount;
appreciable (usually prec. by a):We're having a little difficulty.
- being such on a small scale:little farmers.
- younger or youngest:He's my little brother.
- not strong, forceful, or loud;
weak:a little voice.
- small in consideration, importance, position, affluence, etc.:little discomforts; tax reductions to help the little fellow.
- mean, narrow, or illiberal:a little mind.
- endearingly small or considered as such:Bless your little heart!
- amusingly small or so considered:a funny little way of laughing.
- contemptibly small, petty, mean, etc., or so considered:filthy little political tricks.
adv. - not at all (used before a verb):He little knows what awaits him.
- in only a small amount or degree;
not much;
slightly:a little known work of art; little better than a previous effort.
- seldom;
rarely;
infrequently:We see each other very little.
n. - a small amount, quantity, or degree:They did little to make him comfortable. If you want some ice cream, there's a little in the refrigerator.
- a short distance:It's down the road a little.
- a short time:Stay here for a little.
- Idioms in little, on a small scale;
in miniature:a replica in little of Independence Hall.
- Idioms little by little, by small degrees;
gradually:The water level rose little by little.
- Idioms make little of:
- belittle:to make little of one's troubles.
- to understand or interpret only slightly:Scholars made little of the newly discovered text.
- Idioms not a little, to a great extent;
very much;
considerably:It tired me not a little to stand for three hours.
- Idioms think little of, to treat casually;
regard as trivial:They think little of driving 50 miles to see a movie.
- Middle English, Old English lȳtel (lȳt few, small + -el diminutive suffix), cognate with Dutch luttel, Old High German luzzil, Old Norse lītill bef. 900
1. –4. tiny, teeny, wee. Little, diminutive, minute, small refer to that which is not large or significant. Little (the opposite of big) is very general, covering size, extent, number, quantity, amount, duration, or degree:a little boy; a little time.Small (the opposite of large and of great) can many times be used interchangeably with little, but is especially applied to what is limited or below the average in size:small oranges.Diminutive denotes (usually physical) size that is much less than the average or ordinary; it may suggest delicacy:the baby's diminutive fingers; diminutive in size but autocratic in manner.Minute suggests that which is so tiny it is difficult to discern, or that which implies attentiveness to the smallest details:a minute quantity; a minute exam.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
little /ˈlɪtəl/ determiner - (often preceded by a)
- a small quantity, extent, or duration of: the little hope there is left, very little milk
- (as pronoun): save a little for me
- not much: little damage was done
- make little of ⇒ See make of
- not a little ⇒
- quite a little ⇒ a considerable amount
- think little of ⇒ to have a low opinion of
adj - of small or less than average size
- young: a little boy, our little ones
- endearingly familiar; dear: my husband's little ways
- contemptible, mean, or disagreeable: your filthy little mind
adv - (usually preceded by a) in a small amount; to a small extent or degree; not a lot: to laugh a little
- (used preceding a verb) not at all, or hardly: he little realized his fate
- not much or often: we go there very little now
- little by little ⇒ by small degrees
'least' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
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