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

Spade revealed years later, though, his real reason for skipping his best friend’s funeral. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

My best friend doesn't actually want to go to the end with me. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025

What about a baby shower for your best friend in a few months? —Layla Melendez, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025

These picks make excellent gifts for your mom, your grandma, your sister, or your best friend, so don’t wait to add them to your cart, and start shopping below. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 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