- smallest in amount, extent, or significance最少, 最小, 最不重要：
as determiner who has the least money?谁的钱最少？
he never had the least idea what to do about it
他对此事总是束手无策
as pronoun how others see me is the least of my worries我一点也不担心别人怎么看我
it's the least I can do.
这是我能做的最起码的事情。
- used in names of very small animals and plants, e.g. least shrew用于极小动植物的名称, 如least shrew。
- to the smallest extent or degree最少, 至少：
my best menu was the one I had practised the least
我最拿手的菜是我实践最少的
turning up when he was least expected
出现在人们最想不到他之时
only the least expensive lot sold
只有最便宜的一批卖掉了
I never hid the truth, least of all from you.
我从不隐瞒真相, 更不会对你。
at least
- not less than; at the minimum至少; 最少：
clean the windows at least once a week.
至少每周擦一次窗。
- if nothing else (used to add a positive comment about a generally negative situation)毕竟（用于给反面情况加上正面评价）：
the options aren't complete, but at least they're a start.
这些选项并不全面, 但毕竟是一种开始。
- anyway (used to modify something just stated)无论如何; 不管怎样：
they seldom complained - officially at least.
他们很少抱怨——无论如何, 至少在正式场合是这样。
at the least（或very least）
- (used after amounts) not less than; at the minimum（用于数量后）不少于; 至少：
stay ten days at the least.
至少住10天。
- taking the most pessimistic or unfavourable view从最不利方面说：
a programme which is, at the very least, excellent PR for the hospital.
一个从最坏方面讲也是对医院公共关系绝妙的项目。
least said, soonest mended
- proverb a difficult situation will be resolved more quickly if there is no more discussion of it〈谚〉多说反坏事, 少说更有利。
not in the least
- not in the smallest degree; not at all一点也不：
he was not in the least taken aback.
他一点也不惊讶。
not least
- in particular; notably尤其; 明显地：
there is a great deal at stake, not least in relation to the environment.
有许多事情大成问题, 尤其是环境方面。
to say the least (of it)
- used as an understatement (implying the reality is more extreme, usually worse)一种以退为进的表达, 暗示情况更严重至少可以说：
his performance was disappointing to say the least.
至少可以说她的表演很令人失望。