at least

at least

1. No less than (a certain amount). I didn't expect so many guests! We'll need at least five more seats at the table for dinner. I try to keep at least $1,000 in my bank account at all times.
2. Used to emphasize a positive occurrence amid disappointments. At least it only rained for two days of your trip! OK so Tom didn't come over tonight. At least he still called you.
See also: least
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at least

anyway; in spite of difficulties. At least we had a good evening, even though the afternoon was rainy. At least we came away with some of our money left.
See also: least

at least so many

no less than; no fewer than. There were at least four people there that I knew. I want to spend at least three weeks in Mexico.
See also: least, many
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

at least

1. Also, at the least. According to the lowest possible assessment, no less than. For example, At least a dozen more chairs are needed, or The job will take four hours at the least. [c. 1050]
2. Anyway, anyhow, as in At least you got there on time, or The children enjoyed the dessert at least. [c. 1050] For synonyms, see at any rate; in any case.
See also: least
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

at ˈleast


1 (of a number) not less than: There were at least 70 000 people at the concert. OPPOSITE: at (the) most
2 the minimum somebody should do: I know it’s difficult for him to telephone me, but he could at least write.
3 used for talking about the only advantage or good point of somebody/something: This car is slow, it uses a lot of petrol, but at least it doesn’t break down.
4 used to show you are not completely sure of something: It’s true. At least, I think so.
See also: least
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at least

1. According to the lowest possible assessment; not less than: We waited at least an hour.
2. Regardless of what has occurred or will occur; in any case: You might at least answer the letter.
3. Used to emphasize a somewhat positive aspect following a negative one: The results weren't encouraging, but at least they were accurate.
See also: least
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • at least so many
  • when (one) least expects it
  • when (one) is least expecting it
  • least
  • when least expected
  • take the path of least resistance
  • least of all
  • at the very worst
  • at the worst
  • at worst
References in periodicals archive
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Based on the estimated contribution of the acquisition of innovation design firm Continuum, EPAM now expects revenue growth for FY18 to be at least 26% reported, or at least 24% in constant currency, after factoring in a 2% estimated currency tailwind.
Epam Systems now sees FY18 EPS at least $4.07, consensus $4.09
KABUL -- The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) personnel conducted at least 45 ground operations and 10 airstrikes in the past 24 hours, leaving at least 51 militants dead.
Afghan forces conduct 45 ground operations, 10 airstrikes, leaving 51 militants dead
The natural dye substance comprises at least two kinds of substances and displays at least two color series.
Natural hair dye with plant polyphenols
At least 700 police personnel have been deployed for the security of the teams Anti-polio campaign in at least 27 union councils (UCs) continues on the fourth day amid tight security for the teams.
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The report states that at least 14 terrorists were hanged in Punjab postPeshawar massacre while as many as 166,000 Afghans have been registered all over the country.
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at least two segmented grooves are formed in the outer surface and each segmented groove is separated from and spaced at a distance from an adjacent segmented groove; and
US Patent No.: 8,905,989
Summary: Baghdad: Bombings and shootings killed at least 15 people in Iraq yesterday, among them a ...
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New compositions are available that comprise at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% or at least 99.9% of one of the particle sizes.
New Product Launch - Green Leaf Labs
Arexis AB (Molndal, Sweden) has patented an immunogenic complex comprising at a least one glycoside and at least one lipid, integrated into an iscom complex or matrix, and at least one antigen which antigen is integrated into the iscom complex or coupled on to or mixed with the iscom complex or iscom matrix complex, characterized in that it also comprises at least one enzyme.
Arexis obtains United States patent
After the acquisition, at least 60% of such foreign corporation's stock (determined by vote or value) is held by the domestic corporation's former shareholders (or the domestic partnership's former partners) "by reason of" holding stock in the domestic corporation or an interest in the domestic partnership; and
IRS issues additional guidance on Sec. 7874 inversions
(1) Both males and females categorized as having a high level of depressive symptoms at the time of the first interview had significantly elevated odds of reporting at least one of four specified sexual risk behaviors about one year later.
Symptoms of depression in middle school teenagers linked to risky behavior
However, beginning in 1999, the nesting success (percentage of nests from which at least one chick fledged) of least terns at Gibson Lake dropped below 40%, and in 2001, nesting success dropped to only 5%.
Nesting success and status of the least tern breeding colony at Gibson Lake in southwestern Indiana