Word · Frequency #2012
Least
最少；最小；最少量；最小程度
The smallest amount or degree of something; the minimum.
作代词时通常与 the 连用。
- 1.
Chiefly preceded by the: superlative form of little: most little; the smallest amount or extent of something.
主要用于“the”后:little的最高级,意为最小的；某物的最小数量或程度。
主要用于“the”后:little的最高级,意为最小的；某物的最小数量或程度。
In use
He ate the least, so he was still hungry.
The least I can do is thank you.
She spent the least on groceries this month.
the least of + noun phrase
用于指代某一组中最少的那个。
She ate the least of the cake.
她吃了蛋糕中最少的部分。
the least (that) + clause
表示某件事物的最小程度或数量。
That is the least that I can do.
那是我至少能做的。
least of all
尤用于否定句中，强调最不。
I don't like any of them, least of all John.
他们我一个都不喜欢，尤其是约翰。
Common mistakes
I need least 10 dollars.I need at least 10 dollars.
“least”作为代词时不能单独表示“至少”，需用固定短语“at least”。
He has least money.He has the least money.
“least”作为代词表示“最少的事物”时，通常需要与定冠词“the”连用，构成“the least”。
Connections
Collocations
- the least of
- 最不重要的；最不值得担心的
- Money is the least of my worries right now.现在钱是我最不担心的事。
- in the least
- 丝毫，一点儿（用于否定句）
- I am not surprised in the least.我一点也不惊讶。
- to say the least
- 至少可以说；说得委婉些
- The plan was risky, to say the least.这个计划至少可以说是冒险的。
- least of all
- 尤其不；最不
- No one, least of all Mark, believed the story.没有人，尤其是马克，相信这个故事。
- the least I can do
- 我起码能做的；力所能及的事
- It was the least I could do for you.这是我起码能为你做的。
Idioms & figurative uses
Learner notes
Memory Tip
least 比 less 多一个 a；a 可理解为‘一个’，记成‘一个最少’，即最少量、最小程度。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：everyday conversation、formal writing 作代词时通常用在 the 后面，指“最少的事物/最小的量”。这种用法在口语和书面语中都常见，没有明显的正式或非正式色彩，常出现在 the least I can do 等固定说法中。
Pronunciation & Spelling
单词 east、beast、feast、yeast、priest 都押 /iːst/ 韵，与 least 发音相同。注意 breast 虽也以 -east 结尾，但读 /brɛst/，与 least 不押韵。
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 5，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.