Definition most
Etymology 1
From Middle English most, moste, from Old English mǣst, māst, from Proto-Germanic *maistaz, *maist. Cognate with Scots mast, maist (“most”), Saterland Frisian maast (“most”), West Frisian meast (“most”), Dutch meest (“most”), German meist (“most”), Danish and Swedish mest (“most”), Icelandic mestur (“most”).
Determiner
most
- superlative degree of much.
- superlative degree of many: the comparatively largest number of (construed with the definite article)
- superlative degree of many: the majority of; more than half of (construed without the definite article)
Adverb
most (not comparable)
- Forms the superlative of many adjectives.
- To a great extent or degree; highly; very.
- superlative form of many: most many
- superlative form of much: most much
Pronoun
most
- The greater part of a group, especially a group of people.
Noun
most (usually uncountable, plural mosts)
- (uncountable) The greatest amount.
- (countable, uncountable) The greater part.
- (countable) A record-setting amount.
Etymology 2
Reduction of almost.
Adverb
most (not comparable)
- (informal, chiefly US) Almost.