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

We were supposed to be three couples who were best friends. —E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026

Not mentioned in his book is Kim Marlowe, who Morvan says, in the 1997 Times article was his manager and best friend. —Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Her friends noticed the changes; at a point, her best friend learned of the encounter and, to her surprise, was not curious about her encounters with a celebrity other than to ask if the Sochi incident was consensual. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026

Frozen food gets a bad rap, but the freezer aisle can be your best friend for certain ingredients. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 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