Lest: meaning, definitions and examples
⚠️
lest
[ lɛst ]
formal usage
Lest is used to introduce a clause that expresses a fear or a concern that something undesirable might happen. It often implies precaution or warning.
Synonyms
for fear that, in case, to avoid.
Examples of usage
- She took an umbrella lest it should rain.
- He studied hard lest he fail the exam.
- I keep the windows closed lest someone break in.
Translations
Translations of the word "lest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 menos
- ao menos
- pelo menos
🇮🇳 कम से कम
- कम से कम तो
- कम से कम एक
🇩🇪 wenigstens
- mindestens
- zumindest
🇮🇩 setidaknya
- paling tidak
- minimal
🇺🇦 менше
- принаймні
- по крайній мірі
🇵🇱 przynajmniej
- co najmniej
- mniej
🇯🇵 少なくとも
- 最低でも
- せめて
🇫🇷 au moins
- au moins que
- moins
🇪🇸 al menos
- por lo menos
- mínimo
🇹🇷 en az
- en azından
- en azından bir
🇰🇷 적어도
- 최소한
- 최소
🇸🇦 على الأقل
- على الأقل من
- أقل
🇨🇿 alespoň
- minimálně
- nejméně
🇸🇰 aspoň
- minimálne
- najmenej
🇨🇳 至少
- 最少
- 起码
🇸🇮 vsaj
- najmanj
- vsaj malo
🇮🇸 að minnsta kosti
- minnst
- minni
🇰🇿 кем дегенде
- ең кемі
- миндетті түрде
🇬🇪 მინიმუმ
- თუნდაც
- არანაკლებ
🇦🇿 ən azı
- baxmayaraq
- minimum
🇲🇽 al menos
- por lo menos
- mínimo
Etymology
The word 'lest' originates from the Old English 'lǣst', which means 'less than', and is a contraction of 'for lest', used to introduce a clause expressing fear or caution. Its usage dates back to the early Middle Ages, becoming more prevalent in literary texts, especially in Shakespearean works. Over time, it has maintained its place in formal and poetic language, often conveying a sense of urgency or precautionary intent. The etymology of 'lest' relates closely to the idea of preventing negative outcomes and reflects a time when speech was characterized by a more cautious approach to communication.
Word Frequency Rank
At #5,781 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.
- ...
- 5778 superiority
- 5779 lieutenant
- 5780 answering
- 5781 lest
- 5782 mask
- 5783 compel
- 5784 impaired
- ...