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in the least

Idioms  
  1. Also, in the slightest. At all, in the smallest degree. These terms are nearly always used in a negative context. For example, I don't care in the least what you do with the money, or It doesn't matter in the slightest whether or not you attend. [c. 1600] They may also be put as not in the least or not in the slightest, as in I am not in the least worried about the outcome, or The heat doesn't bother me in the slightest. In the least dates from about 1600; in the slightest has been used in the sense of “emphatically unimportant or trifling” since the late 1500s.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Curry made him a Bozo hiding sharp teeth, which was terrifying but not alluring in the least.

From Salon Aug. 26, 2026

"As cycling has given me a sense of independence again, having to worry about all this is quite worrying in the least," he added.

From BBC Aug. 1, 2026

Not in the least fanciful is “Lucky,” created by Jonathan Tropper from Marissa Stapley’s substantially different novel of the same name.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 15, 2026

We live in the least risky age in history.

From MarketWatch May 6, 2026

In Albert Dussel’s home his word is law, but that doesn’t suit Anne Frank in the least.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

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