most

¹

[mohst]

adjective

1. in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number.

   to win the most votes.

2. in the majority of instances.

   Most operations are successful.

3. greatest, as in size or extent.

   the most talent.

noun

1. the greatest quantity, amount, or degree; the utmost.

   The most I can hope for is a passing grade.

2. the greatest number or the majority of a class specified.

   Most of his writing is rubbish.

3. the greatest number.

   The most this room will seat is 150.

4. the majority of persons.

   to be more sensitive than most.

5. Slang.,  the most, the ultimate in something.

   He's the most. That movie was the most.

adverb

1. in or to the greatest extent or degree (in this sense often used before adjectives and adverbs, and regularly before those of more than two syllables, to form superlative phrases having the same force and effect as the superlative degree formed by the termination-est ).

   most rapid; most wisely.

2. extremely; very.

   a most puzzling case.

3. Informal.,  almost or nearly.

-most

²

1. a combining form of most occurring in a series of superlatives.

   foremost; utmost.

most

¹

/ məʊst /

determiner

1. 1. a great majority of; nearly all

      most people like eggs

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural )

      most of them don't know

      most of it is finished

2. 1. the superlative of many much

      you have the most money

      the most apples

   2. ( as pronoun )

      the most he can afford is two pounds

3. at the maximum

   that girl is four at the most

4. generally

5. to use to the best advantage

   she makes the most of her accent

6. than most others

   the leaves are greener than most

7. slang,  wonderful

   that chick's the most

adverb

1. used to form the superlative of some adjectives and adverbs

   the most beautiful daughter of all

2. the superlative of much

   people welcome a drink most after work

3. (intensifier)

   a most absurd story

4. informal,  almost

   most every town in this state

   John is the more intelligent of the two

   he is the most intelligent of the students

-most

²

suffix

1. forming the superlative degree of some adjectives and adverbs

   hindmost

   uppermost

Usage

The adverb most, a shortened form of almost, is far from being either a recent development or an Americanism. It goes back to the 16th century in England, where it is now principally a dialect form. In American English it occurs before such pronouns as all, anyone, anybody, everyone, and everybody; the adjectives all, any, and every; and adverbs like anywhere and everywhere: Most everyone around here is related to everyone else. You can find that plant most anywhere. This use of most is often objected to, but it is common in the informal speech of educated persons. It is less common in edited writing except in representations of speech.

More and most should be distinguished when used in comparisons. More applies to cases involving two persons, objects, etc, most to cases involving three or more

Word History and Origins

Origin of most¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English most(e), Old English māst; replacing Middle English mest(e), Old English mǣst; cognate with German meist, Gothic maists; more

Origin of most²

Middle English -most; replacing Middle English, Old English -mest, double superlative suffix, equivalent to -ma superlative suffix (as in Old English forma first; compare Latin prīmus ) + -est ¹; later identified with most

Word History and Origins

Origin of most¹

Old English māst or mǣst, whence Middle English moste, mēst; compare Old Frisian maest, Old High German meist, Old Norse mestr

Origin of most²

Old English -mǣst, -mest, originally a superlative suffix, later mistakenly taken as derived from mǣst (adv) most

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make the most of, to use to greatest advantage; utilize fully.

   to make the most of an opportunity.

2. for the most part. part.

3. at the most, at the maximum. Also at most.

see at most; for the most part; make the most of.

Synonym Study

See almost.

Example Sentences

According to FBI Associate Director Mark Felt, who became Gray’s second in command, 10 of 16 top FBI officials chose to retire, most of them notable Hoover men.

From Salon

"Wind speeds are due to decrease gradually through the day and most airlines are expecting to run full schedules," he added.

From BBC

The Harvest Moon is perhaps the most well-known one of the year, thanks in part to the 1992 hit song 'Harvest Moon' by Neil Young.

From BBC

Even when I talk with my brothers, most of the time it's football.

From BBC

She said that while she has environmental and health concerns about the refinery, for the most part she said she doesn’t feel unsafe living across from Chevron.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• almost 
• exceedingly 
• much 
• nearly 
• remarkably 
• too 
• very 

When To Use

What does -most mean?

The combining form -most is used like a suffix meaning “most” in the sense of "in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number." Essentially, it is used to denote a superlative. It is often used in everyday and technical terms, particularly to indicate figurative or literal position or location.The form -most comes from Middle English -most. The Latin equivalent was -issimus, which is found in terms such as bravissimo. Find out more at our entry for bravissimo.