second best
the next to the best in performance, achievement, craftsmanship, etc.
Origin of second best
1Other words from second best
- second-best, adjective
Words Nearby second best
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use second best in a sentence
Thus, abortion is another gender gap issue where men and the GOP come out second-best.
GOP’s Biggest 2016 Problem: Clinton’s Numbers Among White Voters | Lloyd Green | June 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWith Sanders, Indianapolis had the second-best run defense in the playoffs.
Peyton Manning and Tom Brady Don’t Control Their Own Legacies | Evin Demirel | January 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt was a second-best alternative to just counting some of the votes, one which he offered when it looked like he might be losing.
No, Democrats Did Not Just Want to "Count All the Votes" in the 2000 Election. | Megan McArdle | May 6, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTSo he wanted to at least explore the second-best option for getting justice for his client, a civil settlement.
Five Things You Didn’t Know About DSK From John Solomon’s New Book | John Solomon | June 5, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTNevertheless, it was the best year since 2006, and 2010 was the second-best year, with employers adding 940,000 jobs.
Obama’s Wins and Losses by the Numbers: Stocks, Jobs, Health Care, More | Josh Dzieza | January 24, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Poor Johann George came out of it in that way; not second-best, think several.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. III. (of XXI.) | Thomas CarlyleShe was in sober, every-day serge now, and pulling on her second-best cloak.
Jane Journeys On | Ruth Comfort MitchellIf he came off second-best a dozen times, he went confidently into the thirteenth trial, brave as Bruce, and equally successful.
You've always come off second-best with Hermansen—and now he's snapped up Mrs. Rantzau under your nose.
Dry Fish and Wet | Anthon Bernhard Elias NilsenThat was his own plan; and, though second-best, that also would have done well, had there been no third.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XV. (of XXI.) | Thomas Carlyle
British Dictionary definitions for second-best
next to the best
come off second best informal to be defeated in competition
an inferior alternative
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with second best
Also, second class. Next after the first in rank or quality, inferior to the best, as in We aren't satisfied with being second best in sales, or This hotel is obviously second class. The first term dates from the first half of the 1400s, the variant from about 1800. Also see come off, def. 2; second class.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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