second best

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See synonyms for: second best / secondbest on Thesaurus.com

noun

the next to the best in performance, achievement, craftsmanship, etc.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of second best

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

OTHER WORDS FROM second best

second-best, adjective

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

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|DAILY BEAST
With 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|DAILY BEAST
It 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|DAILY BEAST
So 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|DAILY BEAST

Nevertheless, 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|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 Carlyle
She was in sober, every-day serge now, and pulling on her second-best cloak.
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell
If he came off second-best a dozen times, he went confidently into the thirteenth trial, brave as Bruce, and equally successful.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862|Various
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 Nilsen
That 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

second-best

adjective

next to the best

come off second best informal to be defeated in competition

noun second best

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

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.

second best

Origin of second best

OTHER WORDS FROM second best

Words related to second best

How to use second best in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for second best

Other Idioms and Phrases with second best