the best/better/greater part of
idiom
: more than half of (something) : most of (something)
It took us the better part of a week to finish the job.
We've been waiting for the best part of an hour.
They live here for the greater part of the year.
Examples of the best/better/greater part of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the administration has been repeating that number for the better part of a year, raising questions about its accuracy.
—
Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025
For the better part of two months, the press had been brutal.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
Today By Paulina Berges Gathering with family and friends is the best part of Songkran.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Donovan has spent the better part of five years trying to convince Williams of this statistical truth.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the best/better/greater part of
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.
Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025
For the better part of two months, the press had been brutal.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
Today By Paulina Berges Gathering with family and friends is the best part of Songkran.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Donovan has spent the better part of five years trying to convince Williams of this statistical truth.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the best/better/greater part of
Cite this Entry
“The best/better/greater part of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20best%2Fbetter%2Fgreater%20part%20of. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share