lest

[ lest ]

See synonyms for lest on Thesaurus.com

conjunction

for fear that; so that (one) should not (used negatively to introduce a clause expressive of an action or occurrence requiring caution): He kept his notes by his side lest faulty memory lead him astray.
that (used after words expressing fear, danger, etc.): There was danger lest the plan become known.

Idioms about lest

lest we forget. See entry at lest we forget.

Origin of lest

First recorded before 1000; Middle English leste, contraction of the lesse the, thi les the; late Old English the lǣste, earlier thȳ lǣs the, literally, “whereby less that” (thȳ instrumental case of the demonstrative and relative pronoun, lǣs less, the conjunction)

Words that may be confused with lest

least, lest , let's

Words Nearby lest

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lest in a sentence

And lest you be deceived, primary elections are no partisan monopoly.
Reality Check: There Are No Swing Voters | Goldie Taylor | November 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The cops suspended the high-speed pursuit lest some innocent be killed.
Did the Amber Lynn Coplin Murder Photos Sicken the Creeps of 4Chan? | Michael Daly | November 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He said it would be wise to stop taking it, lest it turn on my “genetic light switch.”
Birth Control Made My Hair Fall Out, and I’m Not the Only One | Molly Oswaks | October 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
lest anyone be confused, the site clearly states: “This is not a dating app.”
Swipe Right For Sex: Mixxxer Is Tinder for the Porn Star Set | Aurora Snow | October 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
lest anyone be confused, the site clearly states: ‘This is not a dating app.’
Swipe Right For Sex: Mixxxer Is Tinder for the Porn Star Set | Aurora Snow | October 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

There is always in the background of my mind dread lest help should reach the enemy before we have done with Sedd-el-Bahr.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian Hamilton
Terror and fascination caught him; he turned away lest she should reach his secret and communicate her own.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
He saw them standing at street corners, watchfully staring lest they should miss the form of joy.
Bella Donna | Robert Hichens
This new-found joy I long pursued in secret, afraid lest it should be discovered and despised as a folly.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
Underneath these were affectionate hearts quaking with fear lest the home-coming be but a sad one after all.
Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson

British Dictionary definitions for lest

lest

/ (lɛst) /

conjunction(subordinating; takes should or a subjunctive verb)

so as to prevent any possibility that: he fled the country lest he be captured and imprisoned
(after verbs or phrases expressing fear, worry, anxiety, etc) for fear that; in case: he was alarmed lest she should find out

Origin of lest

Old English the lǣste, earlier thӯ lǣs the, literally: whereby less that

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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