[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/least/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [L](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/l/) / least # least adjective, adverb, pronoun (little, less, least) «least» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Least means the smallest amount. The one with the least has less than all the others. [tree →](https://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://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://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#m3) 4. «Not in the least» means not at all. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#m4) ### 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://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x1) - Which box holds the least water? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x2) - You need at least 3 coins. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x3) - At least how many cars are needed for 20 people? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x4) - The least common multiple of 4 and 6 is 12. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x5) - It was cold, but at least it didn't rain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x6) - Last but not least, thank you to our helpers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x7) - Brush your teeth at least twice a day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/#x8) - No one has the least idea. [tree →](https://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 Jewish tradition 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 - And her brother and her mother said: 'Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.' (Torah GEN.24.55, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/least/#x1) - And the people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails; he that gathered least gathered ten heaps; and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. (Torah NUM.11.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/least/#x2) - This work then, or a similar predecessor, is at least as old as a.d. 200. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/least/#x3) - The smallest shall become a thousand, and the least a mighty nation; I the LORD will hasten it in its time. (Prophets ISA.60.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/least/#x4) - only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as beforetime knew nothing thereof; (Prophets JDG.3.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/least/#x5) - These of the sons of Gad were captains of the host; he that was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to a thousand. (Writings 1CH.12.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/least/#x6) ### 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). ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «least» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/least/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«least» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/least.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «least» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/least/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«least» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/least.html) on Mova free.