ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Lest

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /lɛst/ · Part of speech conjunction

Quick meaning: Lest is a conjunction meaning For fear that; that not; in order to prevent something from happening; in case.

Meaning

For fear that; that not; in order to prevent something from happening; in case.

More Meanings

  1. (after certain expressions denoting fear or apprehension) that (without the negative particle; introduces the reason for an emotion.)

Example Sentences

I am afraid lest I revealed too much.
There was danger/alarm lest the plan become known.
I brought my notes lest faulty memory lead me astray.
He won't go outside, lest he be eaten by those ravenous eagles.

Synonyms for lest

Depending on context, synonyms include before.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include avoid, before, bogles, else, least, unless.

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Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.