most Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. 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
    • most fishes have fins
  2. adjective 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 could
    • what attracts the most attention?
    • made the most of a bad deal
  3. adverb used to form the superlative
    to the highest degree.
    • the king cobra is the most dangerous snake
  4. adverb very
    • a most welcome relief
  5. adverb (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
    about; nigh; almost; near; nearly; well-nigh; virtually.
    • the job is (just) about done
    • the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
    • we're almost finished
    • the car all but ran her down
    • he nearly fainted
    • talked for nigh onto 2 hours
    • the recording is well-nigh perfect
    • virtually all the parties signed the contract
    • I was near exhausted by the run
    • most everyone agrees

WordNet

Most a., superl. of More
Etymology
OE. most, mast, mest, AS. mst; akin to D. meest, OS. mest, G. meist, Icel. mestr, Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E. more. *103. See More, a.
Definitions
  1. Consisting of the greatest number or quantity; greater in number or quantity than all the rest; nearly all. "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness." Prov. xx. 6.
    The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done. Matt. xi. 20.
  2. Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. "In the moste pride." Chaucer.
  3. Highest in rank; greatest. Obs. Chaucer. ✍ Most is used as a noun, the words part, portion, quantity, etc., being omitted, and has the following meanings: 1. The greatest value, number, or part; preponderating portion; highest or chief part. 2. The utmost; greatest possible amount, degree, or result; especially in the phrases to make the most of, at the most, at most.
    A quarter of a year or some months at the most. Bacon.
    A covetous man makes the most of what he has. L'Estrange.
    Massinger.
Most adverb
Etymology
AS. m&aemac;st. See Most, a.
Definitions
  1. In the greatest or highest degree.
    Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers and prelates. Milton.
    ✍ Placed before an adjective or adverb, most is used to form the superlative degree, being equivalent to the termination -est; as, most vile, most wicked; most illustrious; most rapidly. Formerly, and until after the Elizabethan period of our literature, the use of the double superlative was common. See More, adv.
    The most unkindest cut of all. Shak.
    The most straitest sect of our religion. Acts xxvi. 5.

Webster 1913