2least noun
Meaning:
the least
: something of the lowest importance, strength, value, etc.
▪ Any noise—even the (very) least—would startle her. — often + of ▪ That's the least of my worries/problems. [=I have more important worries/problems to deal with] ▪ We had many things to consider, not the least of which was the safety of our children. [=the safety of our children was very important]
▪ Any noise—even the (very) least—would startle her. — often + of ▪ That's the least of my worries/problems. [=I have more important worries/problems to deal with] ▪ We had many things to consider, not the least of which was the safety of our children. [=the safety of our children was very important]
at least 1 : not less than a specified amount, level, etc.
▪ At least once a year, we visit our grandparents. ▪ We meet at least once a month. = We meet once a month at least. ▪ You must be at least 21 years of age to enter. ▪ He was at least six feet tall. ▪ He must have at least 300 CDs! 2 — used to say that something (such as a bad situation) could be or have been worse ▪ The weather was cold, but at least it didn't rain. ▪ I was tired and hungry, but at least I was free. ▪ We don't have much money, but at least we still have each other. 3 — used to indicate the smallest or easiest thing that someone can or should do ▪ Well, he could have at least apologized. 4 a — used to indicate that the truth of a statement might change or has changed ▪ We're going to have a picnic, at least if it doesn't rain. ▪ I'm fine for now at least. [=I'm fine for now although I may not be fine later] ▪ He was unknown in the music world, at least until recently.
b — used to indicate that the truth of a previous statement is not certain ▪ Her name is Sue, or at least I think it is. ▪ He is coming today. At least that's what he told me.
▪ At least once a year, we visit our grandparents. ▪ We meet at least once a month. = We meet once a month at least. ▪ You must be at least 21 years of age to enter. ▪ He was at least six feet tall. ▪ He must have at least 300 CDs!
b — used to indicate that the truth of a previous statement is not certain ▪ Her name is Sue, or at least I think it is. ▪ He is coming today. At least that's what he told me.
at the (very) least
— used to indicate the least thing that is true, acceptable, desirable, or certain to happen ▪ He wanted to win the race, or at the least, to finish second. ▪ It is, at the very least, an interesting book. ▪ It will change your life or, at the very least, teach you something new. ▪ At the very least, she deserves to be heard.
not (in) the least
: not at all : not in any way or respect
▪ It did not interest me in the least. [=it did not interest me at all] ▪ He didn't enjoy it in the least. ▪ That joke was not in the least funny. ▪ We weren't in the least tired. ▪ I'm not the least worried.
▪ It did not interest me in the least. [=it did not interest me at all] ▪ He didn't enjoy it in the least. ▪ That joke was not in the least funny. ▪ We weren't in the least tired. ▪ I'm not the least worried.
the least (someone) can do
: the smallest or easiest thing that someone can or should do
▪ The least he could do is tell me what happened. ▪ There's no need to thank me for my help. Considering all the help you've given me in the past, it was the least I could do. [=I do not deserve to be thanked for the small thing I did]
▪ The least he could do is tell me what happened. ▪ There's no need to thank me for my help. Considering all the help you've given me in the past, it was the least I could do. [=I do not deserve to be thanked for the small thing I did]
to say the least
— used to emphasize a statement ▪ She was not happy, to say the least. [=she was very unhappy] ▪ He is, to say the least, hopeful about the future. [=he is very hopeful about the future] ▪ To say the least, they were disappointed that their trip was canceled.
