best friend

noun

plural best friends

1

: a person's closest and dearest friend

She's my best friend.

We have been best friends since high school.

2

: a person's most desirable or valuable possession or resource

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but gold is more affordable.

—William Giese

Lycra-cotton leggings and tunic tops are the pregnant woman's best friend, sartorially speaking.

—Anne Reeks

When cops bang on the door, the toilet is a drug dealer's best friend.

—Frederick Kaufman

Examples of best friend in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The original film follows the story of a young Hawaiian girl, Lilo (Maia Kealoha), who yearns to have a best friend. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

And the story is about a crime that appears to have taken place between their two daughters who are also best friends. — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

While Romy and Michele may still be in business together, Sorvino hinted that romance could be on the horizon for the longtime best friends. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

One study of women ages 31-77 found that being a best friend was a key predictor of how satisfied midlife women were with their lives. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing best friend

• man's best friend

Rhymes for best friend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend