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

Emily became one of my best friends. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025

Hotel gyms have become my best friend. —Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

Jeremy Strong plays his loyal best friend/manager, and Stephen Graham gives a gut-punch performance as Bruce’s old man. —Henry Selick, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025

Alastair Stout will play Harry’s best friend Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton will round out the trio of heroes as bookworm Hermione Granger. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025

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