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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Who survives Over 50 years ago, Charlie Munger convinced his best friend, Warren Buffett, to ditch the proverbial cheap cigar butts for buying durable, high-quality businesses, centered around their economic moat. Sanjot Malhi, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 With the help of his best friend Cliff, Robbie decides to take matters into his own hands by robbing the Dark Hearts’ drug-dealing operation in order to provide a better life for his children and to avenge his brother’s death. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026 Don’t be — instead weep at the devastating death of their best friend JJ and a long, difficult burial in a faraway land. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 Forwark is holding out for hers — especially after watching her best friend, who’d been on dating apps since 2012, meet the love of her life on Hinge this year at 40. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for best friend

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of best friend was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Best friend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/best%20friend. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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