best man

American

noun

the chief attendant of the bridegroom at a wedding.

best man British

noun

the (male) attendant of the bridegroom at a wedding

"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

Etymology

Origin of best man

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I like to challenge myself against the best. We're going to go to war and the best man will win," Paul said last month.

From Barron's

"Imagine if you're nervous about making a best man or a groom speech in front of 300 of your best friends," said Alex.

From BBC

He pulled off his muddy track suit and told his wife, “I’m going to be best man at a wedding.”

From Literature

Rachel was given away by her brother Simon, while her sister-in-law Emma had two important roles - as both maid of honour and best man.

From BBC

They were married a year later, and his lifelong friend Leslie Grey was best man at the wedding.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023