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

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

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.

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

The Dughmush family, one of Gaza's most prominent clans, has long had a tense relationship with Hamas, and its armed members have clashed with the group on several occasions in the past.

Read more on BBC

Haaland has been the most prolific of the trio this season with his 21 goals in 12 games coming at an average of one every 47 minutes.

Read more on BBC

“This is probably the most important election that I’ve been involved in, and it’s different. It’s not really between two people or two parties. This is two fundamentally different philosophies.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That will take time and will demand wise political strategy, robust regional alliances and, most important, encouragement for Palestinian political competition to grow in Gaza.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It may be the most overused idiom to ever exist, but life is short; the only way to live it is to try our hardest to like it.

Read more on Salon

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.