best

[ best ]

/ bɛst /

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See synonyms for best on Thesaurus.com

adjective, superlative of good, with better as comparative.

of the highest quality, excellence, or standing: the best work; the best students.

most advantageous, suitable, or desirable: the best way.

largest; most: the best part of a day.

adverb, superlative of well, with better as comparative.

most excellently or suitably; with most advantage or success: an opera role that best suits her voice.

in or to the highest degree; most fully (usually used in combination): best-suited; best-known; best-loved.

noun

something or someone that is best: They always demand and get the best. The best of us can make mistakes.

a person's finest clothing: It's important that you wear your best.

a person's most agreeable or desirable emotional state (often preceded by at).

a person's highest degree of competence, inspiration, etc. (often preceded by at).

the highest quality to be found in a given activity or category of things (often preceded by at): cabinetmaking at its best.

the best effort that a person, group, or thing can make: Their best fell far short of excellence.

a person's best wishes or kindest regards: Please give my best to your father.

verb (used with object)

to get the better of; defeat; beat: He easily bested his opponent in hand-to-hand combat. She bested me in the argument.

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Idioms about best

all for the best, for the good as the final result; to an ultimate advantage: At the time it was hard to realize how it could be all for the best.Also for the best .

as best one can, in the best way possible under the circumstances: We tried to smooth over the disagreement as best we could.

at best, under the most favorable circumstances: You may expect to be treated civilly, at best.

get / have the best of,

to gain the advantage over.
to defeat; subdue: His arthritis gets the best of him from time to time.

had best, would be wisest or most reasonable to; ought to: You had best phone your mother to tell her where you are going.

make the best of, to cope with in the best way possible: to make the best of a bad situation.

with the best, on a par with the most capable: He can play bridge with the best.

Origin of best

First recorded before 900; Middle English beste, Old English betst, best; cognate with Dutch best, Old High German bezzist (German best ), Old Norse bezt, Gothic batists. See better¹, -est¹

Other definitions for best (2 of 2)

Best

[ best ]

/ bɛst /

noun

Charles Herbert, 1899–1978, Canadian physiologist, born in the U.S.: one of the discoverers of insulin.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use best in a sentence

Edtech solutions could fill the gap, but there’s no real consensus in higher education over which tools work best.
Extra Crunch roundup: A fistful of IPOs, Affirm’s Peloton problem, Zoom Apps and more|Walter Thompson|November 20, 2020|TechCrunch
Instead he’d focus on simply besting his brothers as a diversion while harboring dreams of becoming a pro soccer or handball player.
The enduring and ongoing legacy of Bjergsen|Noah Smith|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The best known is beaujolais nouveau, released on the third Thursday of November.
We deserve ‘nouveau’ wine in 2020 — a vintage meant to be fun and drunk right away|Dave McIntyre|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
While the GeForce NOW library is best experienced on mobile with a gamepad, touch is how over 100 million Fortnite gamers have built, battled and danced their way to Victory Royale.
Nvidia plans to bring Fortnite back to the iPhone despite Apple ban|Aaron Pressman|November 19, 2020|Fortune

His penance includes starting a podcast called “Mea Culpa” and writing a best-selling book, “Disloyal,” which he’s trying to turn into a movie.
All the president’s ‘Guys’|Ben Terris|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Her performance bested not just Tasini, but any primary challenger to a sitting governor in state history.
Andrew Cuomo Can't Ignore It Now: He's Weak Even at Home|David Freedlander|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a recent Fox poll, Clinton bested Christie by 11 points, Jeb Bush by 13 and Ted Cruz by 16.
Christie, Not Quite Dead Yet|Michael Tomasky|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Patriots had bested the Giants in the last game of the regular season but they would not be able to do so again.
Seahawks-Broncos and 7 Other Thrilling Super Bowl Matchups|Ben Jacobs|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bryk came in third, but he notes with pride that he bested the coal scuttle helmet man in his home county.
Brooklyn’s Lazy Carpetbagger Sets His Sights on an Alaska Senate Seat|David Freedlander|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This week, the distance between Barack Obama and the Republican he bested to first become president got a whole lot smaller.
John McCain’s Middle East War Drumbeat: Iraq, Libya, and Now Syria|Lloyd Green|June 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Randolph himself was very sorely bested, but he succeeded in killing the commandant; whereupon the garrison gave in.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
Two radiant Kings: very shining Men of Action both; both of them hard bested, as the case often is.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XVIII. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
He has fought and diplomatized and intrigued in many countries, very much; and in his old days is hard bested.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XV. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
I've bested you for the present—that's the chief thing, anyway.
The Passenger from Calais|Arthur Griffiths
In September, 1892, he bested a bull clique and forced prices down to twelve cents.
All About Coffee|William H. Ukers

British Dictionary definitions for best (1 of 2)

best

/ (bɛst) /

adjective

the superlative of good

most excellent of a particular group, category, etc

most suitable, advantageous, desirable, attractive, etc

the best part of most ofthe best part of an hour

put one's best foot forward

to do one's utmost to make progress
to hurry

adverb

the superlative of well 1

in a manner surpassing all others; most excellently, advantageously, attractively, etc

(in combination) in or to the greatest degree or extent; mostthe best-loved hero

as best one can or as best one may as effectively as possible within one's limitations

had best would be wise, sensible, etc, toyou had best go now

noun

the best the most outstanding or excellent person, thing, or group in a category

(often preceded by at) the most excellent, pleasing, or skilled quality or conditionjournalism at its best

the most effective effort of which a person or group is capableeven their best was inadequate

a winning majoritythe best of three games

Also: all the best best wishesshe sent him her best

a person's smartest outfit of clothing

at best

in the most favourable interpretation
under the most favourable conditions

for the best

for an ultimately good outcome
with good intentionshe meant it for the best

get the best of or have the best of to surpass, defeat, or outwit; better

give someone the best to concede someone's superiority

make the best of to cope as well as possible in the unfavourable circumstances of (often in the phrases make the best of a bad job, make the best of it)

six of the best informal six strokes with a cane on the buttocks or hand

verb

(tr) to gain the advantage over or defeat

Word Origin for best

Old English betst; related to Gothic batista, Old High German bezzist

British Dictionary definitions for best (2 of 2)

Best

/ (bɛst) /

noun

Charles Herbert . 1899–1978, Canadian physiologist: associated with Banting and Macleod in their discovery of insulin in 1922

George . 1946–2005, Northern Ireland footballer

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

Scientific definitions for best

Best

[ bĕst ]

Charles Herbert 1899-1978

American-born Canadian physiologist who assisted Frederick Banting in the discovery of the hormone insulin. In acknowledgment of his work, Banting shared his portion of the 1923 Nobel Prize with Best. In addition to further refining the use of insulin, Best later discovered the vitamin choline and the enzyme histaminase, which breaks down histamine.

Other Idioms and Phrases with best

best

In addition to the idioms beginning with best

best bib and tucker
best of both worlds, the
best part of something
best shot

also see:

all for the best
all the best
as best one can
at best
at one's best
come off (second-best)
do one's best
get the better (best) of
give it one's best shot
had better (best)
make the best of it
on one's best behavior
put one's best foot forward
second best
Sunday best
in one's (best) interest
to the best of one's ability
with the best of them
with the best will in the world

Also see underbetter.

best

Idioms about best

Origin of best

Other definitions for best (2 of 2)

Words related to best

How to use best in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for best (1 of 2)

Word Origin for best

British Dictionary definitions for best (2 of 2)

Scientific definitions for best

Other Idioms and Phrases with best