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Synonyms

best man

American  

noun

  1. the chief attendant of the bridegroom at a wedding.


best man British  

noun

  1. 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.

See Examples For:

Mr. Hernández, a “Saturday Night Live” cast member, is particularly shrill as the best man who can’t forgive his pal for getting married.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 24, 2026

He is also a co-host of the popular "New Heights" podcast alongside his brother Jason, who was his best man.

From Barron's Jul. 4, 2026

It took five of those "ridiculous" hours to finish the video, which was then revealed during a best man speech at Considine's wedding.

From BBC Jun. 16, 2026

There is nothing so gauche as a routine, mind you, but he dances with the oblivious cool of a best man at a wedding where everyone knows the bride prefers him to her new husband.

From BBC Jun. 13, 2026

"Only that Noah was best man at Grandma and Izzy's wedding."

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

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