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 whimsical cover introduces readers to Saffy and Lumo, two best friends whose devotion to their favorite foods leads to an unexpected, and very literal, transformation. —Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Like, this is your best friend. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026

My manager is good friends with one of his best friends and that’s how everything came together. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 8 Jan. 2026

Miller headed south for the new year to ride his motorcycle along the Gulf Coast, something his best friend, Sam Teasdale, said is part of his adventurous attitude. —Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 8 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