MOST Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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most

[ mohst ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number:
to win the most votes.
in the majority of instances:
Most operations are successful.
greatest, as in size or extent:
the most talent.

noun

the greatest quantity, amount, or degree; the utmost:
The most I can hope for is a passing grade.
the greatest number or the majority of a class specified:
Most of his writing is rubbish.
the greatest number:
The most this room will seat is 150.
the majority of persons:
to be more sensitive than most.
the most, Slang. the ultimate in something:
He's the most. That movie was the most.

adverb

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.
extremely; very:
a most puzzling case.
Informal. almost or nearly.

-most

a combining form of most occurring in a series of superlatives:
foremost; utmost.

most

/ ��əʊ�� /

determiner

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
the most
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
at most or at the most
at the maximum
that girl is four at the most
for the most part
generally
make the most of
to use to the best advantage
she makes the most of her accent
than most
than most others
the leaves are greener than most
the most slang.
wonderful
that chick's the most

adverb

the most
used to form the superlative of some adjectives and adverbs
the most beautiful daughter of all
the superlative of much
people welcome a drink most after work
(intensifier)
a most absurd story
informal.
almost
most every town in this state
he is the most intelligent of the students
John is the more intelligent of the two

-most

suffix

forming the superlative degree of some adjectives and adverbs
uppermost
hindmost

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Usage Note

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.

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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

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of most¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English most(e), Old English ��; replacing Middle English mest(e), Old English ��ǣ��; 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 ��ī��ܲ� ) + -est ¹; later identified with most

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of most¹

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

Origin of most²

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

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Idioms and Phrases

at the most, at the maximum. Also at most.
make the most of, to use to greatest advantage; utilize fully:
to make the most of an opportunity.
for the most part. part ( def 34 ).

More idioms and phrases containing most

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

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Synonym Study

See almost.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Run the numbers, consider your future plans and go with the choice that makes the most sense for you.

From

But most analysts think the firm's prices will have to go up.

From

"It's absolutely devastating. People are losing their lives every single day," says Cain about the impact of crime in some of the world's most hostile environments.

From

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Game Business, said he expected to see price rises elsewhere too - particularly for the most anticipated titles, such as the latest edition of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

From

In an interview with the BBC, he accused Trump of handing Russia most of its demands, though he acknowledged it was still early in the process and things could yet change.

From

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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