Least

How to spell least

5 letters · 1 syllable

How to pronounce least

What does least mean?

1. determinerThe smallest in amount, degree, or importance.
2. adverbTo the smallest degree or extent.

Least in a sentence

• determiner

  The repairs cost far more than we expected, but the paint was the least of our worries.

• adverb

  The quietest colleague is often the least likely to complain.

• determiner

  Of all the candidates, she had the least experience in management.

• adverb

  She was least worried about the deadline because her section was finished.

Where does least come from?

Language of origin: Germanic

This is one of the oldest words in English, descending directly from the Old English lǣst (also spelled læsest), which was the superlative of lǣssa, meaning 'less' or 'smaller'. Both forms grew from a Proto-Germanic root carrying the sense of 'small' or 'few', so least has always meant the very smallest amount or degree. Unlike most English superlatives, it is irregular: we say little, less, least rather than adding a regular ending, and that irregularity is itself a clue to how ancient the word is. The spelling kept the 'ea' vowel cluster as English pronunciation shifted over the centuries, which is why it now sounds identical to 'leased' (the past tense of lease) despite the two words having no shared origin. That homophone clash is the main spelling trap, since 'lease' came much later from Old French through legal usage.

How the word is built

• from Old English lǣst, a worn-down form of lǣsest: lǣs (less)
• -est/-st (superlative suffix)

Words that sound like least

They sound the same but mean different things, so the meaning decides which spelling to write.

• leased: Granted or held the use of property, equipment, or land for a fixed period in exchange for payment.