bestestadj.adv.n.
/ˈbɛstᵻst/, U.S. /ˈbɛstəst/ Chiefly humorous and in representations of nonstandard, esp. children's, speech.
A. adj.
In emphatic use: = best adj. Now frequently in bestest friend.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adjective]
highestOE
bestOE
firstlOE
greatest?c1225
of the besta1350
premiera1500
paramount1530
supremec1550
supreme1571
primer1589
top1647
nulli secundus1742
bestest1751
first class1819
beatemest1831
par excellence1839
première1844
first rate1853
beatenest1860
blue ribbon1860
optimum1885
optimal1890
class A1906
all-star1908
grade A1911
five-star1931
mostest1936
tip-topmost1937
the end1950
the most1953
1751 ‘T. Scrubb’ Mem. Speakers Robin Hood Soc. 6 The most sagaciousest of all Animals, &c. The more betterer and indeed most bestest.
1769 J. Potter Hist. Arthur O'Bradley II. ii. 12 He's the sweetest, bestest, good-naturedest young Man my Eyes ever beheld.
1772 Oxf. Mag. May 186/2 He'll tell you the most bestest, and most comicalest story that ever you heard in all your born days.
1800 J. Alexander Acct. Late Rebellion Kildare App. 137 The most properest and most bestest and furst methods of purvinting rebellion.
1868 S. Lysons Vulgar Tongue 49 Our word ‘best’ is a syncope of ‘beltistos’; and our Gloucestershire people stick to the ‘bestest’, which is nearer to the Greek than the modern pronunciation.
1895 Cornhill Mag. Apr. 394 We be tol'able grownupish, but we can voot it wi' the bestest of en.
1912 Oregon Teachers Monthly June 644/1 Buzz came up and tried his best to make Billy and me fight, but I just wouldn't, 'cause Billy is my bestest friend now.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xiv. [Oxen of the Sun] 405 The bestest puttiest longbreak yet.
1961 J. Kerouac Let. 17 Oct. in Sel. Lett. 1957–69 (1999) 309 Give my bestest regards & deep real love for that marvelous Al Hinkle and that marvelous Helen.
2009 Independent 2 Feb. 31/4 A Sunday School outing where you get to sit next to your bestest friend in the world.
B. adv.
In emphatic use: = best adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [adverb]
at (the) bestc1275
in the besta1450
best1577
bestest1801
1801 Knight & Mason I. ix. 108 The most leamedest, and most bestest spoken gentleman they had ever heard so grand a gab from.
1871 A. E. Porter Married for Both Worlds iv. 76 ‘I like maple sirup very much.’ ‘I like it the bestest of any thing.’
1880 M. Clarke Jenny's Corners iv. 46 No one can do anything better than Sissy Netta..'cept mamma; she does everything bestest of anybody.
2009 D. Gantt Decision & Destiny v. 195 The two peoples that I love bestest in the whole world start with that letter.
C. n.
1. A person who or thing which is the very best; (with the and plural agreement) the very best people or things.
ΚΠ
1834 N.-Y. Spectator 27 Mar. 1/3 The demand upon the Cashier was made in the name of the Greatest and Bestest.
1939 G. B. Shaw Geneva iii. 53 My ownest and bestest, you are a Dame of the British Empire.
2003 S. Brown Free Gift Inside! 77 By thus gilding the gilding on the lily, he implies that they are..better than very best. The bestest.
2. With possessive adjective. A person's very best. Cf. to do (also try) one's best at best n.1 4.
ΚΠ
1835 Figaro in London 14 Nov. 189/1 Copeland took his oath upon his bill-book that he would do his very bestest, and the procession travelled, as fast as they could, Citywards.
1869 F. L. Benedict My Daughter Elinor xxvi. 134/1 Who knows if I can make you comfortable—a great lady like you, with your par at the top of the tree! But I'll do my bestest.
1905 E. Phillpotts Secret Woman i. iv. 36 It all comes back to Him, though you may try your bestest to make a case.
1986 J. Cartwright Road (1990) i. 35 I try me bestest. I keep plunging meself in me mind but I return empty-handed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.adv.n.1751