to the lowest degree
Definition
Adverb * Used to form the superlative: This phrase is used to indicate the minimum amount, the smallest extent, or the lowest level of a quality among a group. It is synonymous with "least" when forming superlative comparisons.
Usage
- The phrase "to the lowest degree" modifies adjectives or other adverbs to create a superlative form, meaning "less than all others" or "in the smallest amount."
- It is a formal or emphatic alternative to the more common superlative adverb "least."
Examples
- Adverb:
- Of all the students, he was interested in math to the lowest degree.
- This is to the lowest degree important; we have much bigger problems to solve.
- She was to the lowest degree concerned about the rumors.
Advanced Usage
- Emphatic Superlative: Used for strong emphasis in formal writing or speech to stress that something is the absolute minimum.
- The proposal was to the lowest degree acceptable, barely meeting the minimum requirements.
Variants and Related Words
- Least (adv.): The standard and most common adverb used to form the superlative degree (e.g., , ).
- Minimally (adv.): To a minimal degree or extent (focuses on the small amount rather than the comparison).
- Superlative Degree: The grammatical form (e.g., , , ) used to compare three or more items, showing the extreme.
Synonyms
- Least
- Minimally (in some contexts)
- In the smallest measure
Antonyms
- To the highest degree
- Most
- Maximally
- Utterly
Related Phrases
- Not in the least: Not at all.
- I am not in the least worried about the test.
- Last but not least: Used to introduce the final person or thing, emphasizing they are not less important.
- And last but not least, I'd like to thank our volunteers.
Adverb
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used to form the superlative
-
The garter snake is the least dangerous snake
-
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