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

Penelope and her best friend Sam, also 7, say pool time is their favorite activity at this camp. — Ava Berger, NPR, 26 July 2026

Seymour rehabbed with a few of his best friends in the organization and made many more friends while feeding off each other’s positive vibes. — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Swift and Lively were best friends for over a decade, collaborating on various projects and cheering on Kelce at Chiefs games. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 25 July 2026

Inspired by his father, ‘my best friend’ Hernandez has done a lot of fanny kicking, starting with his youth. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 July 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