Question

What is the meaning of the phrase: “Not the least”?

Answer 1

Hint: The literal interpretation of the word 'least' is less than everything it is compared to or the smallest amount or value. Take note that within the phrase given, ‘not the least’, there is negation placed before ‘least’. Phrases like this are used normally to provide emphasis to the noun or subject it describes.

Complete answer:
The phrase given to us is, “not the least”. When we look closely, two words here can provide the entire definition for the phrase. The two words that stand out are ‘not’ and ‘least’.

Here ‘not’ represents a negation and ‘least’ represents the minimum quantity or value. ‘Not the least’ as a whole can be assumed to mean that any concept that is described does not have lesser value than others.

The true meaning to the phrase is ‘not the least’ is: the thing or person mentioned at the end is definitely not to be considered as any less important than the others, but is just as important as the aforementioned.

Through an example this will be clear: “I take this opportunity to thank the institution, my teachers, my friends and last but not the least my parents without whom none of this would be possible.”

Here the person has mentioned ‘institution’, ‘teachers’, ‘friends’ and the person has mentioned his/her ‘parents’ at the end, but this does not imply that they are the least important or the ones who deserve the least amount of gratitude, by using ‘not the least’ he/she has confirmed that everybody is thanked equally and everyone is equally important. With the help of ‘not the least’, they have conveyed that just because someone is mentioned at end, does not mean they deserve any less appreciation.

Note: Other phrases that are very similar or have the same meaning as ‘not the least’ are:
- “just as vital” (It means what you are describing is as important as what it is compared to.)
- “nevertheless” (It means that the second point made is contrasting to the first point)