most
used to form the superlative
How often you will meet it
Rank 143 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 169,242 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.080% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
adverb
- used to form the superlative also: to the highest degree the king cobra is the most dangerous snake
- very a most welcome relief
- (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but also: about, almost, nearly, near, nigh, virtually the job is (just) about donethe baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
adjective
- (superlative of `many' used with count nouns and often preceded by `the') quantifier meaning the greatest in number who has the most apples?most people like eggs
- the superlative of `much' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning the greatest in amount or extent or degree made the most money he couldwhat attracts the most attention?
most in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Most of these plays call for a somewhat large number of children.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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She was a most generous woman, and possessed a considerable fortune of her own.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles · Agatha Christie · Chapter 1
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Barbarians and even savages share with the most highly civilised peoples this passion for fiction.
Famous Stories Every Child Should Know · Hamilton Wright [Editor] Mabie · Chapter 1
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The strongest and most soothing part of his influence over her was his exceeding silence.
Christian's Mistake · Dinah Maria Mulock Craik · Chapter 1
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It is, perhaps, the most critical single day of the four years' course at the University.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1