AT LEAST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does at least mean? 

• AT LEAST (adverb)
  The adverb AT LEAST has 2 senses:

1. if nothing else ('leastwise' is informal and 'leastways' is colloquial)

2. not less than

  Familiarity information: AT LEAST used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AT LEAST (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

If nothing else ('leastwise' is informal and 'leastways' is colloquial)

Synonyms:

at any rate; at least; leastways; leastwise

Context example:

the influence of economists--or at any rate of economics--is far-reaching

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not less than

Synonyms:

at least; at the least

Context example:

a tumor at least as big as an orange

Antonym:

at most (not more than)

 Context examples 

The devil knows best what he said, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing him nearly every evening.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Well, at least he is fairly well-to-do.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Poesy does not prevent one from being practical—at least it doesn't prevent me.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

His income to-day is at least thirty thousand a year.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

This train stops at Canterbury; and there is always at least a quarter of an hour’s delay at the boat.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And still the Ghost foamed along, racing off the miles till I was certain she was making at least eleven knots.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“Thanks to you, Master Copperfield,” he returned, “of no one in particular just at present—no male person, at least.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Several times during the night he sprang to his feet when the shed door rattled open, expecting to see the Judge, or the boys at least.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

At least God's mercy is better than that of these monsters, and the precipice is steep and high.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Three broken ribs, one at least of which has pierced the lungs.

(White Fang, by Jack London)