lest

/lɛst/

conj 2

Collocations

ADJ.

all, best, deep, faulty, hard, outside, secret

VERB + LEST

back, beware, brought, fled, go, head, notes, ran

LEST + NOUN

memory, others, someone, thou

PREP.

down, on, with

ADV.

away, quietly

conj

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

He won't go outside, lest he be eaten by those ravenous eagles.

I brought my notes lest faulty memory lead me astray.

that (without the negative particle; introduces the reason for an emotion.)

There was danger/alarm lest the plan become known.

I am afraid lest I revealed too much.

Alternative form of judge not, that ye be not judged.

He won't go outside, lest he be eaten by those ravenous eagles.

Wiktionary

I brought my notes lest faulty memory lead me astray.

Wiktionary

I thought to haue told thee of it, but I fear'd / Leaſt I might anger thee.

Wiktionary

Beware lest you should miss the train.

Tatoeba · #20263

Take this umbrella with you lest you should get wet and catch cold.

Tatoeba · #26766

I took my umbrella lest it rain.

Tatoeba · #26870

i Register

In some senses, lest is marked as formal, literary. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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