most

Everyday

1. Most means the biggest amount or number. The one with the most has more than all the others. tree →
2. Most means nearly all, more than half: «most children like ice cream». tree →
3. Most makes long adjectives into «the biggest» form: «the most beautiful». tree →
4. «At most» means that number or less, not more. tree →
5. (casual, US) «Most» is clipped «almost»: «most everyone came». tree →
6. (casual) «The most» can mean very: «that's the most fun ever»; «make the most of it» means use it well. tree →
7. (formal) «Most» means very: «a most interesting question»; «the maximum», «the majority» and «not exceeding» are stiff words: «The majority of respondents…» tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: a comparison — the largest number; «at most» means no more than (an upper limit); «most of» means more than half; the mode is the value that comes up most often; bar graphs (the tallest bar). In everyday life: «most of the time», «make the most of» (use well). In casual talk: «who got the most?», «mostest» (jokey, wrong). In the exam voice: «the maximum number», «the majority», «a capacity not exceeding 4». Phrases: «at most», «the most», «most of», «make the most of», «for the most part», «at the very most».

Examples

• Who has the most apples? tree →
• Which day had the most rain? tree →
• At most 4 children fit in a car. tree →
• Most of the pupils walk to school. tree →
• The tallest bar shows the class that read the most books. tree →
• She is the most helpful person I know. tree →
• Let's make the most of the sunny weather. tree →
• The mode is the number that appears most often. tree →
• who got the most sweets, i got 7 (casual) tree →
• You've got the most and you're still moaning? Greedy git. (rough) tree →
• That is a most interesting question. (formal) tree →
• Each vehicle has a capacity not exceeding 4 passengers; determine the minimum number of vehicles required for 18. (formal exam) tree →
• They complain most who suffer least. tree →

Note

«The most» + long adjective (the most famous); short adjectives take -est (the tallest), not «the most tall». Opposite: «least» or «fewest». Maths: points to the largest value, or an upper limit. Trap: «at most» means no more than; «most of» is more than half, not all. Trap: formal «a most kind offer» means very kind, not the biggest. Formal «the majority» = most (more than half); «not exceeding» = at most.

In Jewish tradition

"Most holy" means the highest degree of holiness, like the holiest offerings or the holiest place.

Interpretation. The "Holy of Holies" is the inner room of the Tabernacle that held the ark. Only the high priest entered it, once a year on Yom Kippur.

Examples

• Every male among the priests may eat thereof; it is most holy. (Torah LEV.6.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And this is the law of the guilt-offering: it is most holy. (Torah LEV.7.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt put the ark-cover upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. (Torah EXO.26.34, JPS 1917) tree →
• How is the most fine gold changed! (Writings LAM.4.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And is there knowledge in the Most High?' (Writings PSA.73.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• His mouth is most sweet; yea, he is altogether lovely. (Writings SNG.5.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«The most» + long adjective (the most famous); short adjectives take -est (the tallest), not «the most tall». Opposite: «least» or «fewest». Maths: points to the largest value, or an upper limit. Trap: «at most» means no more than; «most of» is more than half, not all. Trap: formal «a most kind offer» means very kind, not the biggest. Formal «the majority» = most (more than half); «not exceeding» = at most.