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

These travel-friendly packets of Gatorade electrolytes are my best friend on the plane. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026

Watching midsize creators’ honest try-on hauls feels like being in a dressing room with a best friend, laughing over the ridiculousness of needing to do squats to see if jeans have enough give to accommodate your belly and thighs. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026

Your next best friend Weebles is the ultimate low-maintenance companion looking for a soft place to land in 2026! —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Maid of honor Maya (Agudong) has grown distant from best friend Evie (Bolt), whose rekindled bond with estranged college mean girl Tess (Alexander) threatens to derail the trip. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Feb. 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