at least

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Not fewer or lower than the number or amount named, though it may be more.

   Grammar: Goes before a number or amount: at least ten people.

   Patterns

   • at least number
   • at least as much as

   You should drink at least two liters of water a day.

   The trip will take at least three hours.

   At least fifty people came to the meeting.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Used to mention a small good point in a situation that is otherwise bad.

   Grammar: Starts a clause: at least we are safe.

   Patterns

   • at least clause

   We lost the match, but at least we played well.

   It rained, but at least it was warm.

   At least nobody was hurt in the accident.

3. 3phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to correct yourself by giving a more cautious version of what you just said.

   Grammar: Used mid-sentence as an afterthought.

   Patterns

   • clause, at least

   She's coming, at least that's what she told me.

   He's honest, at least I think so.

   It's cheap, at least compared with the others.

Common combinations

at least once

Visit the museum at least once.

at least a few

At least a few guests stayed late.

at the very least

At the very least, you should apologize.

at least not

It's not cheap, at least not here.

at least as good

This one is at least as good as the old model.

Synonyms and how they differ

minimum

Minimum is a noun or adjective, whereas at least works as a phrase before numbers.

no fewer than

No fewer than is more formal and works only with countable things.

anyway

Anyway can introduce a positive point, but at least stresses the consolation more.

if nothing else

If nothing else is looser and treats the point as the one benefit left.

Opposites

Word family

least adjective

smallest in amount or degree

least adverb

to the smallest degree

Commonly confused: at least or at last?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “at least”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words