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# least

«least» in Mova's school dictionary: **the smallest amount** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

adjective, adverb, pronoun (little, less, least)

### meaning for a pupil

1) Least means the smallest amount. The one with the least has less than all the others. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#m1)

2) «At least» means that number or more, not fewer: «at least 3 coins». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#m2)

3) «At least» also means «anyway, there is one good thing»: «It rained, but at least we had umbrellas». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#m3)

4) «Not in the least» means not at all. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#m4)

### sense in the lessons

In school maths: a comparison — the smallest number in a group; «at least» gives a lower bound; «at least how many» often needs rounding up after division; least common multiple. In everyday life: «at least say thank you», «the least I can do». Phrases: «at least», «the least», «least of all», «last but not least».

### examples

- Who has the least money? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x1)
- Which box holds the least water? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x2)
- You need at least 3 coins. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x3)
- At least how many cars are needed for 20 people? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x4)
- The least common multiple of 4 and 6 is 12. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x5)
- It was cold, but at least it didn't rain. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x6)
- Last but not least, thank you to our helpers. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x7)
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x8)
- No one has the least idea. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x9)

### note

«Least» is for amounts that are not counted (least water); for counted things «fewest» is more careful (fewest coins), though people often say «least». Opposite: «most». Maths: points to the smallest value, or a lower bound. Trap: «at least how many» often needs rounding up after division (21 ÷ 4 needs 6 cars, not 5).

### In the corpora

- [Many teachers suggest giving a new instrument at least a full term before deciding, and recording yourself shows your progress.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/arts/3-practising-when-you-would-rather-not/15/)
- [Guinea pigs are herd animals, so at least two should live together.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/63-guinea-pigs-hamsters-and-fish/9/)
- [Seals rest on beaches and can bite, so people stay at least 10 metres away and keep dogs on a lead.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/71-wild-animals-zoos-and-kindness/5/)
- [Being active for at least an hour a day keeps your heart, muscles and mind strong.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/87-eyes-ears-and-moving/2/)
- [Children should be active for at least an hour a day.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/87-eyes-ears-and-moving/13/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «least» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.