How Do You Spell ALMOST?

Pronunciation: [ˈɔːlmə͡ʊst] (IPA)

The word "almost" is spelled A-L-M-O-S-T, and is pronounced /ˈɔːlməʊst/ in British English or /ˈɑːlmoʊst/ in American English. The first syllable is pronounced with the open-mid back rounded vowel /ɔː/ or /ɑː/, while the second syllable has the schwa sound /əʊ/ or /oʊ/. The final consonant cluster "-st" is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar sibilant /st/. The spelling of "almost" remains consistent across various English-speaking regions, making it an easy word to understand and recognize.

ALMOST Meaning and Definition

  1. Almost is an adverb used to indicate very nearly reaching a particular condition, state, or quantity. It implies that something falls just short of being completed, achieved, or obtained. It describes a situation where the result is extremely close but not quite finalized or fully realized.

    In terms of time, almost refers to the nearly reached point or moment, pointing to an event or occurrence that is about to happen. It suggests that something is imminent or just a brief period away from unfolding.

    The term almost can also pertain to a numerical value, indicating a quantity that is extremely close to the stated number but falls just below it. It signifies an approximation or an estimation that is very near the actual figure.

    Additionally, almost can be used to express similarity or comparison. It implies that two things share many similarities or characteristics, creating a sense of near likeness or resemblance.

    Overall, almost expresses a state of extreme proximity, closeness, or similarity. It highlights the nearness of something to a specific point, condition, or value, emphasizing the minor gap separating it from reaching that final state.

  2. Nearly; for the greatest part.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for ALMOST *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ALMOST

Etymology of ALMOST

The word almost derives from the Old English term almæst, which combines the prefix al- meaning entirely or completely with mæst, a form of the word mæst meaning most or greatest. In Old English, almæst indicated something that was very close to being completely or most, giving rise to its modern meaning of nearly or not quite.

Idioms with the word ALMOST

  • almost lost it The idiom "almost lost it" means to come very close to losing control of one's emotions or temper. It refers to a situation where someone is on the brink of losing their composure or becoming extremely angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed.
  • (almost) jump out of one's skin The idiom "(almost) jump out of one's skin" means to be extremely startled or frightened, causing someone to react suddenly and with great intensity. It can also refer to being startled to the point of feeling a physical sensation as if one's skin is trying to leap off their body.
  • almost there The idiom "almost there" is used to describe being close to achieving a goal or reaching a destination. It signifies that progress has been made and the desired outcome is within reach, but it is not fully accomplished or attained yet.
  • (almost) burst a blood vessel The idiom "(almost) burst a blood vessel" is used to describe an extreme level of anger, frustration, or annoyance that someone experiences. It implies that the person's emotions are so intense that they feel as if a blood vessel in their body might burst.
  • almost/nearly die of sth The idiom "almost/nearly die of sth" means that someone has a very intense or close encounter with something, typically an experience or an emotion, that has a profound effect on them, often putting them in serious danger or causing extreme feelings or reactions. It expresses the idea that the person's experience was so intense that it felt as if they were on the brink of death.
  • could have died of sth, at almost/nearly die of sth The idiom "could have died of something" or "almost/nearly die of something" is a figurative expression used to convey a high level of shock, surprise, or disbelief about a particular situation or event. It emphasizes the severity or intensity of an experience, suggesting that it was so extreme that it felt life-threatening or nearly fatal.
  • almost never The idiom "almost never" means hardly or rarely occurring, very infrequently or to a very minimal extent.
  • nearly/almost fall off your chair The idiom "nearly/almost fall off your chair" is an exaggerated expression that refers to being extremely surprised or shocked by something to the point of losing balance or composure. It suggests that the person's reaction is so intense that it is as if they were about to physically fall out of their seat.
  • almost doesn't count The idiom "almost doesn't count" means that coming close to achieving something is not sufficient or considered a success. It implies that regardless of how close or nearly someone accomplished a task, it still falls short of the desired outcome or expectation. In essence, it emphasizes the importance of actually achieving the goal rather than merely making progress towards it.
  • nearly/almost have a heart attack The idiom "nearly/almost have a heart attack" refers to being extremely shocked, surprised, or frightened to the point where one's heart rate increases dramatically, mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack. It is used figuratively to describe an intense emotional or physical reaction to a sudden, unexpected, or alarming situation.
  • (almost) upon (one) The idiom "(almost) upon (one)" means very close to happening or taking place. It signifies that something is imminent or about to occur.

Similar spelling words for ALMOST

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