let alone

1 of 2

conjunction

: to say nothing of : not to mention

—used especially to emphasize the improbability of a contrasting example

… he would never walk again, let alone play golf.

—Sports Illus.

how many ever see an Ambassador or Minister, let alone a President

—Robert Lacville

let alone

2 of 2

phrase

: to leave undisturbed

let the flowers alone

also : to leave to oneself

wanted to be let alone

Synonyms of let alone

Conjunction

• not to mention

Examples of let alone in a Sentence

Conjunction

I don't have enough money for a new car, let alone a luxury sedan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Conjunction

This amount is rarely enough to cover extensive repairs, let alone a full replacement. —Alora Bopray, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

Factors like greenhouse gas emissions, production methods, and energy sources are difficult even for industry professionals to fully assess—let alone everyday consumers. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026

Still, nothing seemed to give away that Rodrigo was in the crowd, let alone getting ready to sing. —Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026

McFarlane does not have his pro licence, let alone the wealth of experience that his predecessors named above had. —Simon Johnson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Conjunction

1765, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for let alone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

let alone

conjunction

: to say nothing of : not to mention

lacked the courage, let alone the know-how