How do you use the word "least" in a sentence?

Q: How do you use the word "least" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "least": In a dictionary like this one there should be at least two sentences with "fridge". My brother is very important. At least he thinks he is.

Least Meaning

/liːst/

Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

adjChiefly preceded by the: superlative form of little: most little.

adjChiefly preceded by the: superlative form of little: most little., Chiefly used with abstract nouns: less than all others in extent or size; littlest, smallest.

Sentence Examples

In a dictionary like this one there should be at least two sentences with "fridge".

My brother is very important. At least he thinks he is.

He always turns up just when you least expect him.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

None

Antonyms:

most

CEFR Practice Quiz

Of all the siblings, she showed the ____ interest in sports, preferring to read books.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

That was the ____ I could do to help you, especially after all the support you have given me this past year.

Word Origin & History

The adjective, determiner, and noun are derived from Middle English leste, lest, last (“(adjective) smallest, least; (noun) smallest thing, etc.; person or thing least in importance; etc.”), from Old English lǣst, a contraction of læsast, læsest (“least”) (also lærest in only one source), from Proto-Germanic *laisistaz (“smallest, least”), from *laisiz (“less”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European *leh₂is- or *leh₃is-; whence modern English less) + *-istaz (“suffix forming superlative forms of some adjectives”). The adverb and pronoun are derived from the adjective or determiner. cognates * Old Frisian leist * Old Saxon lēs

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Of two ils chose the least, while choise lyeth in lot." — 1546, John Heywood, chapter V, in Julian Sharman, editor, The Proverbs of John Heywood. […], London: George Bell and Sons, […], published 1874, →OCLC, part I, page 20:

"At the end of it [a passage], tovvards the theatre, 'tis lighted by a ſmall candle, the light of vvhich is almoſt loſt before you get half-vvay dovvn, but near the door—'tis more for ornament than uſe: you ſee it as a fix'd ſtar of the leaſt magnitude; it burns—but does little good to the vvorld, that vve knovv of." — 1768, Mr. Yorick [pseudonym; Laurence Sterne], “The Act of Charity. Paris.”, in A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy, volume II, London: […] T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt, […], →OCLC, pages 148–149:

"[T]he least part of the work of any sound art-teacher must be his talking." — 1872 February 8 (date delivered), John Ruskin, “Lecture I. The Function in Art of the Faculty Called by the Greeks Σοφία.”, in The Eagle’s Nest. Ten Lectures on the Relation of Natural Science to Art, Given before the University of Oxford in Lent Term, 1872 (The Works of John Ruskin; IV), London: […] [F]or the author, by Smith, Elder & Co., […]; and sold by Mr. G[eorge] Allen, […], published 1872, →OCLC, paragraph 2, page 3:

"The firſt is a very ſlender plant hauing a fevve ſmall leaues like the leaſt Chickvveede, grovving in little tufts, from the midſt vvhereof riſeth vp a ſmall ſtalke, nine inches long; […]" — 1597, John Gerarde [i.e., John Gerard], “Of Whiteblowe, or Whitlowe Grasse”, in The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes. […], London: […] Edm[und] Bollifant, for Bonham and Iohn Norton, →OCLC, book II, page 498:

"[T]he floures of a purple colour, ſpotted on the inſide vvith vvhite, and of a brighter purple than the reſt of the floure, faſhioned like the ſmallest Anirrhinum, or leaſt Snapdragon, […]" — 1633, John Gerarde [i.e., John Gerard], Thomas Johnson, “Of Hedge Hyssope”, in The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes. […], enlarged edition, London: […] Adam Islip, Joice Norton and Richard Whitakers, →OCLC, book II, pages 581–582:

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