at least
adjective a superl. of little with less or lesser as compar.
1.
smallest in size, amount, degree, etc.; slightest: He gave the least amount of money of anyone.
2.
lowest in consideration, position, or importance.
noun
3.
something that is least; the least amount, quantity, degree, etc.
4.
South Midland U.S. the youngest in a family or group.
adverb superl. of little with less as compar.
5.
to the smallest extent, amount, or degree: That's the least important question of all. He talks least.
00:10
At least
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
6.
at least,
a.
at the lowest estimate or figure: The repairs will cost at least $100.
b.
Also, at the least. at any rate; in any case: You didn't get a good grade, but at least you passed the course.
7.
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To at least
Collins
World English Dictionary
least (liːst) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —determiner | |
| 1. | a. the least the superlative of little : you have the least talent of anyone |
| b. (as pronoun; functioning as sing): least isn't necessarily worst | |
| 2. | at least |
| a. if nothing else: you should at least try | |
| b. at the least | |
| 3. | at the least, at least at the minimum: at the least you should earn a hundred pounds |
| 4. | (usually used with a negative) in the least in the slightest degree; at all: I don't mind in the least |
| —adv | |
| 5. | the least superlative of little : they travel the least of all |
| —adj | |
| 6. | of very little importance or rank |
| [Old English lǣst, superlative of lǣssa | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
least
O.E. læst, earlier læsest "smallest" (superlative of læs "smaller, less"), from P.Gmc. *laisistaz. Qualifying phrase at least is M.E. æt læstan. Colloquial leastways (1825), regarded as vulgar is simply a one-word form of Chaucer's leest weye (late 14c.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
at least
-
Also, at the least. According to the lowest possible assessment, no less than. For example, At least a dozen more chairs are needed, or The job will take four hours at the least. [c. 1050]
-
Anyway, anyhow, as in At least you got there on time, or The children enjoyed the dessert at least. [c. 1050] For synonyms, see at any rate; in any case.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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