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TAKE THE QUIZsuperlative of good
superlative of well
1
: in the best (see best entry 1) way : to greatest advantage
Some things are best left unsaid.
2
: most
Those best able will provide needed support.
plural best
1
: the best (see best entry 1) state or part
You haven't heard the best of it.
2
: one that is best
the best falls short
saved the best for last
3
: the greatest degree of good or excellence
He's at his best in front of a live audience.
democracy at its best
4
a
: one's maximum effort
do your best
b
: a best performance or achievement
ran a new personal best
5
: best clothes
wearing their Sunday best
bested; besting; bests
: had best (see best entry 2 sense 1)
you best listen
Phrases
as best
: as well, skillfully, or accurately as
Try to do it as best you can.
: under the most favorable circumstances
won't be finished for another three months at best
At best, you will earn back what you paid in.
He's an average writer at best.
… was among the worst schools in a city whose public education could be described as struggling, at best.—
Ann Carrns
Ann Carrns
: to overcome or outdo (someone or something) : to get the better of
The hero got the best of the villain in the end.
I let my emotions get the best of me and said something I regret.
Let's face it: As much as we like to eat healthy, the old sweet tooth sometimes gets the best of us.—Denise I. O'Neal
Denise I. O'Neal
Synonyms
Noun
Verb
Example Sentences
Adjective
You should wear your best clothes tonight.
We ate the best food and drank the best wines.
His modesty and sense of humor are his best qualities.
Is that your best offer?
Which of these do you think tastes best?
Mary sends you her very best wishes.
She's the best student in her class.
He won the award for best actor in a drama.
She truly believes that this is the best way to solve the problem.
She's the team's best hope for a medal.
Adverb
The sauce is best served cold.
They work best under pressure.
That's what we do best!
We need to think about how best to fix this problem.
The work should be done by the people who are best able to do it.
She's best suited to life in the city.
He is best known for his invention of the light bulb.
The museum features some of the best-known examples of this style of painting.
Noun
Out of all of my workers, he's the best.
Our company is the best in the business.
Thanks, Dad. You're the best!
I have one more gift for you, and I saved the best for last.
Bad things happen to the best of us.
They want the best for their children.
Even in the best of times, we had trouble paying our bills.
In the best of all possible worlds, no one would be without food and clean water.
I have a wonderful family and a great job, so I feel that I have the best of both worlds.
He did his best to help them.
Verb
at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts
See More
Recent Examples on the WebKathy Caprino, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023
But his lifelong best friend will be with him back in the Dallas area.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 6 Feb. 2023
Bring your family, mom, best friend or significant other to one of two time slots, 4 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14.
—Laura Groch
Feb. 5, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023
In a 1990 Gallup poll, 75% of respondents reported having a best friend.
—Trey Williams, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2023
But this past week in Boston has been one of the best of his career.
—Will Lee For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Goncalves and her best friend Maddie Mogen, both 21, along with Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2023
My best friend Vicky solved this by taking lots of pictures mere centimeters from his face, flash on, in case the police needed them for evidence.
—Annie Lord, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2023
Hopefully, the real-life lawyers are settling the contracts so the onscreen lawyer and her best friend can reunite once more.
—Vulture, 4 Feb. 2023
Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023
The new Virginia Tech campus also promises to transform Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood, best known now as the site of a large strip mall.
—Teo Armus, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2023
The great 1906 earthquake, best known for destroying much of San Francisco, also triggered quakes much farther away on the same day, said seismologist Lucy Jones, a research associate at Caltech.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023
Desalu Naturals is a skincare brand with ingredients sourced from around Africa, and is best known for its oils and body butters.
—Terri Huggins Hart, Woman's Day, 7 Feb. 2023
Prior to Squid Game, O was best known as a prominent stage actor who had appeared in acclaimed local adaptations of plays like King Lear and Faust.
—Soo-mee Park, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2023
The university did not acquire the academy's debt, leaving that in the lap of Jones, its prominent founder and entrepreneur best known for developing technology that revolutionized voicemail.
—Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Feb. 2023
Thule is best known for its car top carriers, but the brand brings its knack for sturdy cargo storage to this duffel bag as well.
—Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023
Wright is best known for being a stand-up comedian, having previously appeared on Adam Devine's House Party and Laughs.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023
Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2023
Wilson, 28, led the Cowboys with 107 tackles last season while adding five sacks, both figures representing career bests.
—Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2023
Gorze’s name is now listed among some of Oregon’s all-time bests.
—Nikstreng, oregonlive, 13 Mar. 2023
The countless sparrings, the personal bests, and the endless training.
—ELLE, 9 Mar. 2023
Everyone gave their bests.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2023
The anxiety-inducing element of this bet is that Schauffele sits 10th or better in three of the four stat projections and bests Hovland in all four of those categories.
—Nick Hennion, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2023
The single-season bests for Alabama high school alumni in the NFL include: Completions: 437 by San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (Athens High School) in 2015.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 1 Mar. 2023
From 100 mph, however, the CSL's 278-foot stop bests the xDrive's by a full 24 feet.
—Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 28 Feb. 2023
Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
Yet, in a backup car with a bruised right foot, no one on the scorching hot and humid track could best the Rocket that day.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 24 May 2021
Most games invite players to best their opponents; few require such total humiliation as Monopoly.
—Simon Parkin, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2023
Morales was able to best Sullivan and the two other candidates in part due to the relationships he’s built: he’s been a consistent face in the party and a regular at Lincoln Day Dinners across the state.
—Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 18 June 2022
Billboard reports that, overall, the song’s streams were down 25% for the week and radio impressions were down 49% as AC stations finally flipped back to business as usual — but even with those predictable declines, no one could best her.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Jan. 2022
The singer, who wont best new artist in 2009, went for an all-back look for the awards show.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023
It’s the first time American has been able to best pre-pandemic earnings.
—Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023
As his old boss Dave Aranda comes to Lubbock, McGuire will try to best him on the opposing sideline.
—Dallas News, 26 Oct. 2022
Dallas News, 6 Mar. 2023
Yet, in a backup car with a bruised right foot, no one on the scorching hot and humid track could best the Rocket that day.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 24 May 2021
Most games invite players to best their opponents; few require such total humiliation as Monopoly.
—Simon Parkin, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2023
Morales was able to best Sullivan and the two other candidates in part due to the relationships he’s built: he’s been a consistent face in the party and a regular at Lincoln Day Dinners across the state.
—Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 18 June 2022
Using the Best Methods Possible While Elegran may prioritize a human approach to real estate, Richter says that technology is not a hindrance but rather a necessary tool used to best serve clients.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
It’s the first time American has been able to best pre-pandemic earnings.
—Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023
In fact, all of those numbers best what Hall did this year.
—Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Dec. 2022
After all, when enemies are at work trying to best your security protections, your team must be that much better.
—Jeffrey Engle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022
See More
Adjective
Consider achievingc workplace/industry awards as a success indicator (Best place to work for...LGBTQ, best employer for diversity, for women, etc.).
—Kathy Caprino, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023
But his lifelong best friend will be with him back in the Dallas area.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 6 Feb. 2023
Bring your family, mom, best friend or significant other to one of two time slots, 4 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14.
—Laura Groch
Feb. 5, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023
In a 1990 Gallup poll, 75% of respondents reported having a best friend.
—Trey Williams, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2023
But this past week in Boston has been one of the best of his career.
—Will Lee For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Goncalves and her best friend Maddie Mogen, both 21, along with Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2023
My best friend Vicky solved this by taking lots of pictures mere centimeters from his face, flash on, in case the police needed them for evidence.
—Annie Lord, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2023
Hopefully, the real-life lawyers are settling the contracts so the onscreen lawyer and her best friend can reunite once more.
—Vulture, 4 Feb. 2023
Adverb
Cruise ships are perhaps best known for amenities like buffets and swimming pools, but their medical facilities also have the capability to treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries, from common colds to heart attacks.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023
The new Virginia Tech campus also promises to transform Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood, best known now as the site of a large strip mall.
—Teo Armus, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2023
The great 1906 earthquake, best known for destroying much of San Francisco, also triggered quakes much farther away on the same day, said seismologist Lucy Jones, a research associate at Caltech.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023
Desalu Naturals is a skincare brand with ingredients sourced from around Africa, and is best known for its oils and body butters.
—Terri Huggins Hart, Woman's Day, 7 Feb. 2023
Prior to Squid Game, O was best known as a prominent stage actor who had appeared in acclaimed local adaptations of plays like King Lear and Faust.
—Soo-mee Park, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2023
The university did not acquire the academy's debt, leaving that in the lap of Jones, its prominent founder and entrepreneur best known for developing technology that revolutionized voicemail.
—Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Feb. 2023
Thule is best known for its car top carriers, but the brand brings its knack for sturdy cargo storage to this duffel bag as well.
—Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023
Wright is best known for being a stand-up comedian, having previously appeared on Adam Devine's House Party and Laughs.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023
Noun
He's started in 35 of their 69 games, is producing career-bests with 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 22.4 minutes played per game this season.
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2023
Wilson, 28, led the Cowboys with 107 tackles last season while adding five sacks, both figures representing career bests.
—Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2023
Gorze’s name is now listed among some of Oregon’s all-time bests.
—Nikstreng, oregonlive, 13 Mar. 2023
The countless sparrings, the personal bests, and the endless training.
—ELLE, 9 Mar. 2023
Everyone gave their bests.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2023
The anxiety-inducing element of this bet is that Schauffele sits 10th or better in three of the four stat projections and bests Hovland in all four of those categories.
—Nick Hennion, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2023
The single-season bests for Alabama high school alumni in the NFL include: Completions: 437 by San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (Athens High School) in 2015.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 1 Mar. 2023
From 100 mph, however, the CSL's 278-foot stop bests the xDrive's by a full 24 feet.
—Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 28 Feb. 2023
Verb
Facing Michigan in the College Football Playoff, many thought the extensive, physical Wolverine defensive line would best TCU.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
Yet, in a backup car with a bruised right foot, no one on the scorching hot and humid track could best the Rocket that day.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 24 May 2021
Most games invite players to best their opponents; few require such total humiliation as Monopoly.
—Simon Parkin, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2023
Morales was able to best Sullivan and the two other candidates in part due to the relationships he’s built: he’s been a consistent face in the party and a regular at Lincoln Day Dinners across the state.
—Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 18 June 2022
Billboard reports that, overall, the song’s streams were down 25% for the week and radio impressions were down 49% as AC stations finally flipped back to business as usual — but even with those predictable declines, no one could best her.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Jan. 2022
The singer, who wont best new artist in 2009, went for an all-back look for the awards show.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023
It’s the first time American has been able to best pre-pandemic earnings.
—Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023
As his old boss Dave Aranda comes to Lubbock, McGuire will try to best him on the opposing sideline.
—Dallas News, 26 Oct. 2022
Auxiliary verb
For a third ring, the 6-4 guard will need to best another Dallas-area team — either Lake Highlands or DeSoto — if United beats San Antonio Brennan in the 6A state semifinals on Friday.
—Dallas News, 6 Mar. 2023
Yet, in a backup car with a bruised right foot, no one on the scorching hot and humid track could best the Rocket that day.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 24 May 2021
Most games invite players to best their opponents; few require such total humiliation as Monopoly.
—Simon Parkin, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2023
Morales was able to best Sullivan and the two other candidates in part due to the relationships he’s built: he’s been a consistent face in the party and a regular at Lincoln Day Dinners across the state.
—Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 18 June 2022
Using the Best Methods Possible While Elegran may prioritize a human approach to real estate, Richter says that technology is not a hindrance but rather a necessary tool used to best serve clients.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
It’s the first time American has been able to best pre-pandemic earnings.
—Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023
In fact, all of those numbers best what Hall did this year.
—Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Dec. 2022
After all, when enemies are at work trying to best your security protections, your team must be that much better.
—Jeffrey Engle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'best.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English best, beste, going back to Old English betst, best, (as weak adjective) betsta, betesta, going back to Germanic *batista-, superlative degree of the adjective seen in the comparative *batizōn better entry 1, whence also Old Frisian best, bēst "best," Old Saxon betst, best, Old High German bezzisto, Old Icelandic beztr, baztr, Gothic batista
Adverb
Middle English, going back to Old English betst, betest, derivative of betst, best best entry 1
Noun
Middle English, going back to Old English betste, derivative of betst, best best entry 1
Verb
derivative of best entry 1, after better entry 2
Auxiliary verb
by ellipsis from had best
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Verb
1863, in the meaning defined above
Auxiliary Verb
1897, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of best was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing best
Dictionary Entries Near best
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/best. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
best
1 of 4 adjectivesuperlative of good
1
: better than all others
my best friend
2
: good or useful in the highest degree : most excellent
the best movie I ever saw
3
: most entry 3, largest
it rained for the best part of a week
best
3 of 4 noun
plural best
1
: the best state or part
the best is yet to come
2
: one that is best
even the best lose once in a while
3
a
: one's greatest effort
do your best
b
: best performance or achievement
ran a new personal best
4
: best clothes
put on your Sunday best
best
4 of 4 verb
: to get the better of : outdo
bested us in every event
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on best
Nglish: Translation of best for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of best for Arabic Speakers
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