# lest

> English word · Conjunction · IPA /lɛst/ · frequency rank #14,158

## Definitions
1. For fear that; that not; in order to prevent something from happening; in case.
2. that (without the negative particle; introduces the reason for an emotion.)

## Etymology
c. 1200, contracted from Middle English les te (“less that”), from Old English þȳ lǣs þe (“whereby less that”), from þȳ (instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt (“that”)) + lǣs (“less”) + þe (“that,” relative particle). The þȳ was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste.

## Easily confused with
- **Lt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lt)
- **Ls** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-ls)
- **lot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lot)
- **let** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-let)
- **los** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-los)
- **lit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lit)
- **lex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lex)
- **LSU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lsu)
- **Lew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lew)
- **LSD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lsd)
- **lev** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lev)
- **lis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lis)
- **ley** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-ley)
- **LST** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lst)
- **LRT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lrt)
- **LSC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lsc)
- **lost** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lost)
- **list** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-list)
- **lose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-lose)
- **loss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lest-vs-loss)

## Common misspellings (5)
`elst`, `lesst`, `lestt`, `llest`, `lset`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lest