I. ˈmōst adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mǣst; akin to Old High German meist most, Old English māra more — more at more
Date: before 12th century
1. : greatest in quantity, extent, or degree
the most ability
2. : the majority of
most people
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1. : to the greatest or highest degree — often used with an adjective or adverb to form the superlative
the most challenging job he ever had
2. : to a very great degree
was most persuasive
III. noun
Date: 12th century
: the greatest amount
it's the most I can do
•
- at most
IV. pronoun
Usage: singular or plural in construction
Date: 13th century
: the greatest number or part
most become discouraged and quit
V. adverb
Etymology: by shortening
Date: circa 1584
: almost
we'll be crossing the river most any time now — Hamilton Basso
Usage:
Although considered by some to be unacceptable in all cases, most is often used to mean “almost” in both spoken and, to a lesser extent, written English to modify the adjectives all, every, and any; the pronouns all, everyone, everything, everybody, anyone, anything, and anybody; and the adverbs everywhere, anywhere, and always. Other uses of this sense of most are dialectal.