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“Leased” or “Least”

leased / least are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

leased l·IY·s·t

  • verbgrant use or occupation of under a term of contract.
  • verbengage for service under a term of contract.

least l·IY·s·t

  • nounsomething that is of no importance.
  • adjectivethe superlative of `little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree.
  • adverbused to form the superlative.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“leased”

  • …5 including the facilities currently leased from DOTC.
  • The Southwestern was leased to the Central of Georgia…
  • …an older corn mill, was leased by Arkwright in 1777.
  • Norwegian Long Haul briefly leased Hi Fly Malta A380 in…
  • …the Cape Florida lighthouse was leased by the United States Secretary…
  • …the school site has been leased by Bedford College, who use…
  • …Bradford and Pittsburgh Railroad was leased to the Erie Railroad on…
  • …Tu-134 (registered RA-65691) had been leased by RusLine from RusAir and…
  • Peru leased five VT-1A from China for…
  • With four A380s leased to Singapore Airlines having been…

“least”

  • It has to be at least 50 years old or of…
  • …Cal freshman to have at least 200 rebounds.
  • …of 2013, there are at least 15 minor network affiliates or…
  • …than sugar, making it the least potent of the commercially used…
  • Outwardly at least, by 743 the Umayyad position…
  • …among the electorate, for at least trying to do what he
  • …that he achieved this at least partly by culling weaker students…
  • …Tyrophagus casei mites for at least three months.
  • …type engines require at the least, supplies to the cathode, anode…
  • …an archeological site, listed at least partially for its potential to…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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