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

One is her best friend Claire (Aziza Scott) in New York, who’s always encouraging her to make the prudent choice. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Gordo and Ed were best friends, and Michael and I became really close friends. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026

But Murray worries about upholding his best friend’s wishes. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

Nadia, however, is also brought back into the orbit of Aleks, Nik's business partner, who also happens to be Nadia's former best friend and first love. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 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