second-best

1 of 3

adjective

sec·​ond-best ˌse-kən(d)-ˈbest 

-kᵊŋ-

: next to the best

second best

2 of 3

noun

: one that is below or after the best

second best

3 of 3

adverb

: in second place

Examples of second-best in a Sentence

Noun

He won't settle for second best.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The second-best offensive group is the starting lineup with Jake LaRavia in Williams’ place. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

The Bruins, who entered with the NHL’s second-best goal differential behind Carolina, were off since rolling to a 6-2 victory at Pittsburgh on Thursday. — ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026

Noun

The wily strategist told Tian Ji to race his best horse against the king’s second best, his second best against the king’s third best and his worst against the king’s best. — Dana MacKenzie, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026

April is historically the second best performing month for the S & P 500 and only trails behind November, according to the Stock Trader’s Almanac. — Itzel Franco, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026

Adverb

In 2023, Florida slipped to second best, partly due to high health care costs, behind Virginia. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

That's the second best-performing sector of the year behind energy, which has soared 34%. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1647, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1777, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for second-best

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed

Kids Definition

second-best

adjective

: next to the best