lest

CEFRC1

/lɛst/

conjunction

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    conjunction

    Used to say that something should not happen.

  2. 02

    conjunction

    Extra detail

    that (without the negative particle; introduces the reason for an emotion.)

Examples

  • Beware lest you should miss the train.

  • Take this umbrella with you lest you should get wet and catch cold.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
3
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /liːst/

Deep Dive

conjunction

Extra meaning

  1. For fear that; that not; in order to prevent something from happening; in case.

More examples

In context

  • There was danger lest the secret become known.

  • He won't go outside, lest he be eaten by those ravenous eagles.

  • I brought my notes lest faulty memory lead me astray.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

She tied a string around her finger blank she forget the important errand.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

conjunction

c. 1200, contracted from Middle English les te (“less that”), from Old English þȳ lǣs þe (“whereby less that”), from þȳ (instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt (“that”)) + lǣs (“less”) + þe (“that,” relative particle). The þȳ was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste.