superlative 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'NealExamples of best in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2025
Cameras also caught Braun giving Ward a kiss at their table after Succession won best drama series at Critics Choice Awards the same month.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
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
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
Both times were just off his personal bests in both.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Sophomore Benjamin Adams bested his senior teammate Benjamin Anderson, 9:07:93 to 9:08.60.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The film picked up a total of five awards at the ceremony, including best picture, best director, original screenplay and editing.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2025
Cameras also caught Braun giving Ward a kiss at their table after Succession won best drama series at Critics Choice Awards the same month.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
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
Noun
His 11 free-throw attempts and nine makes were personal postseason bests, both nearly doubling his season highs of six and five, respectively.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
Both times were just off his personal bests in both.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025
Verb
To get to the East Finals, the Knicks bested the reigning champion Boston Celtics in a six-game series that, frankly, should have been a five-game series.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Sophomore Benjamin Adams bested his senior teammate Benjamin Anderson, 9:07:93 to 9:08.60.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/best. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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