best

1 of 5

adjective

ˈbest

superlative of good

: excelling all others

the best student in the class

: most productive of good : offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction

What is the best thing to do?

: most, largest

It rained for the best part of their vacation.

best

2 of 5

adverb

superlative of well

: in the best (see best entry 1) way : to greatest advantage

Some things are best left unsaid.

: most

Those best able will provide needed support.

best

3 of 5

noun

plural best

: the best (see best entry 1) state or part

You haven't heard the best of it.

: one that is best

the best falls short

saved the best for last

: the greatest degree of good or excellence

He's at his best in front of a live audience.

democracy at its best

: one's maximum effort

do your best

: a best performance or achievement

ran a new personal best

: best clothes

wearing their Sunday best

best

4 of 5

verb

bested; besting; bests

transitive verb

: to get the better of : outdo

bested by their opponents

best

5 of 5

auxiliary verb

: had best (see best entry 2 sense 1)

you best listen

Phrases

as best

: as well, skillfully, or accurately as

Try to do it as best you can.

at best

: under the most favorable circumstances

won't be finished for another three months at best

At best, you will earn back what you paid in.

He's an average writer at best.

… was among the worst schools in a city whose public education could be described as struggling, at best.—

Ann Carrns

get the best of

: to overcome or outdo (someone or something) : to get the better of

The hero got the best of the villain in the end.

I let my emotions get the best of me and said something I regret.

Let's face it: As much as we like to eat healthy, the old sweet tooth sometimes gets the best of us.—

Denise I. O'Neal

Example Sentences

Adjective You should wear your best clothes tonight. We ate the best food and drank the best wines. His modesty and sense of humor are his best qualities. Is that your best offer? Which of these do you think tastes best? Mary sends you her very best wishes. She's the best student in her class. He won the award for best actor in a drama. She truly believes that this is the best way to solve the problem. She's the team's best hope for a medal. Adverb The sauce is best served cold. They work best under pressure. That's what we do best! We need to think about how best to fix this problem. The work should be done by the people who are best able to do it. She's best suited to life in the city. He is best known for his invention of the light bulb. The museum features some of the best-known examples of this style of painting. Noun Out of all of my workers, he's the best. Our company is the best in the business. Thanks, Dad. You're the best! I have one more gift for you, and I saved the best for last. Bad things happen to the best of us. They want the best for their children. Even in the best of times, we had trouble paying our bills. In the best of all possible worlds, no one would be without food and clean water. I have a wonderful family and a great job, so I feel that I have the best of both worlds. He did his best to help them. Verb at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But his lifelong best friend will be with him back in the Dallas area. —

Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 6 Feb. 2023 Bring your family, mom, best friend or significant other to one of two time slots, 4 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14. —

Laura GrochFeb. 5, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023 In a 1990 Gallup poll, 75% of respondents reported having a best friend. —

Trey Williams, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2023 But this past week in Boston has been one of the best of his career. —

Will Lee For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023 He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Goncalves and her best friend Maddie Mogen, both 21, along with Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20. —

Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2023 My best friend Vicky solved this by taking lots of pictures mere centimeters from his face, flash on, in case the police needed them for evidence. —

Annie Lord, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2023 Hopefully, the real-life lawyers are settling the contracts so the onscreen lawyer and her best friend can reunite once more. —

Vulture, 4 Feb. 2023 The most emotional moment arrived when Robinson walked onstage to pay tribute to his longtime mentor and best friend Gordy. —

Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2023

Adverb

Cruise ships are perhaps best known for amenities like buffets and swimming pools, but their medical facilities also have the capability to treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries, from common colds to heart attacks. —

Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023 The new Virginia Tech campus also promises to transform Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood, best known now as the site of a large strip mall. —

Teo Armus, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2023 The great 1906 earthquake, best known for destroying much of San Francisco, also triggered quakes much farther away on the same day, said seismologist Lucy Jones, a research associate at Caltech. —

Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023 Desalu Naturals is a skincare brand with ingredients sourced from around Africa, and is best known for its oils and body butters. —

Terri Huggins Hart, Woman's Day, 7 Feb. 2023 Prior to Squid Game, O was best known as a prominent stage actor who had appeared in acclaimed local adaptations of plays like King Lear and Faust. —

Soo-mee Park, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2023 The university did not acquire the academy's debt, leaving that in the lap of Jones, its prominent founder and entrepreneur best known for developing technology that revolutionized voicemail. —

Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Feb. 2023 Thule is best known for its car top carriers, but the brand brings its knack for sturdy cargo storage to this duffel bag as well. —

Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023 Wright is best known for being a stand-up comedian, having previously appeared on Adam Devine's House Party and Laughs. —

Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023

Noun

Faced with these record economic headwinds, that could be a personal best. —

Jenn Mcmillen, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 His 28-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the regular season was a personal best. —

Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2023 Her personal best was a 2:33:46 set during the 2007 Twin Cities Marathon in St. Paul, Minnesota. —

Brad Emons, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2022 For Reed, this was her first perfect 10 of her collegiate career—before then, her personal best was a 9.975 on floor. —

Essence, 26 Jan. 2022 Being at our absolute best may not even equate to wins. —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2022 Maybe the most surprised person in the stadium was Thompson-Herah, who didn’t expect a personal best. —

Ken Goe For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2021 Your personal best was a little bit less than 26 feet. —

Ben Shpigel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2021 Meanwhile, Andersen's throw was a mere 2 inches shy of Berry's personal best. —

Eddie Pells, ajc, 27 June 2021

Verb

The singer, who wont best new artist in 2009, went for an all-back look for the awards show. —

Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 It’s the first time American has been able to best pre-pandemic earnings. —

Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023 As his old boss Dave Aranda comes to Lubbock, McGuire will try to best him on the opposing sideline. —

Dallas News, 26 Oct. 2022 After all, when enemies are at work trying to best your security protections, your team must be that much better. —

Jeffrey Engle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022 In fact, all of those numbers best what Hall did this year. —

Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Dec. 2022 But if another factor—their way of living—were compared, then the hunter-gathering Semaq Beri would best the more sedentary Semelai in odor-naming tests. —

Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2018 Look for the youngster to best his season average for points and rebounds in what will be a high-scoring affair. —

Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 10 Dec. 2022 This year was no different with Hayes being ready to best the course in a Santa Run suit. —

Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022

Auxiliary verb

Using the Best Methods Possible While Elegran may prioritize a human approach to real estate, Richter says that technology is not a hindrance but rather a necessary tool used to best serve clients. —

Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 It’s the first time American has been able to best pre-pandemic earnings. —

Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023 In fact, all of those numbers best what Hall did this year. —

Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Dec. 2022 After all, when enemies are at work trying to best your security protections, your team must be that much better. —

Jeffrey Engle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022 As his old boss Dave Aranda comes to Lubbock, McGuire will try to best him on the opposing sideline. —

Dallas News, 26 Oct. 2022 But if another factor—their way of living—were compared, then the hunter-gathering Semaq Beri would best the more sedentary Semelai in odor-naming tests. —

Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2018 Look for the youngster to best his season average for points and rebounds in what will be a high-scoring affair. —

Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 10 Dec. 2022 This year was no different with Hayes being ready to best the course in a Santa Run suit. —

Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English best, beste, going back to Old English betst, best, (as weak adjective) betsta, betesta, going back to Germanic *batista-, superlative degree of the adjective seen in the comparative *batizōn better entry 1, whence also Old Frisian best, bēst "best," Old Saxon betst, best, Old High German bezzisto, Old Icelandic beztr, baztr, Gothic batista

Adverb

Middle English, going back to Old English betst, betest, derivative of betst, best best entry 1

Noun

Middle English, going back to Old English betste, derivative of betst, best best entry 1

Verb

derivative of best entry 1, after better entry 2

Auxiliary verb

by ellipsis from had best

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1863, in the meaning defined above

Auxiliary Verb

1897, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing best

Kids Definition

best

1 of 4 adjective

ˈbest

superlative of good

: better than all others

my best friend

: good or useful in the highest degree : most excellent

the best movie I ever saw

: most entry 3, largest

it rained for the best part of a week

best

2 of 4 adverb

superlative of well

: in the best way : to the greatest advantage

some things are best left unsaid

: to the highest degree : most

best able to do the work

best

3 of 4 noun

plural best

: the best state or part

the best is yet to come

: one that is best

even the best lose once in a while

: one's greatest effort

do your best

: best performance or achievement

ran a new personal best

: best clothes

put on your Sunday best

best

4 of 4 verb

: to get the better of : outdo

bested us in every event

单词	bested
释义	best 1 of 5 adjective ˈbest superlative of good 1 : excelling all others the best student in the class 2 : most productive of good : offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction What is the best thing to do? 3 : most, largest It rained for the best part of their vacation. best 2 of 5 adverb superlative of well 1 : in the best (see best entry 1) way : to greatest advantage Some things are best left unsaid. 2 : most Those best able will provide needed support. best 3 of 5 noun plural best 1 : the best (see best entry 1) state or part You haven't heard the best of it. 2 : one that is best the best falls short saved the best for last 3 : the greatest degree of good or excellence He's at his best in front of a live audience. democracy at its best 4 a : one's maximum effort do your best b : a best performance or achievement ran a new personal best 5 : best clothes wearing their Sunday best best 4 of 5 verb bested; besting; bests transitive verb : to get the better of : outdo bested by their opponents best 5 of 5 auxiliary verb : had best (see best entry 2 sense 1) you best listen Phrases as best : as well, skillfully, or accurately as Try to do it as best you can. at best : under the most favorable circumstances won't be finished for another three months at best At best, you will earn back what you paid in. He's an average writer at best. … was among the worst schools in a city whose public education could be described as struggling, at best.—Ann Carrns get the best of : to overcome or outdo (someone or something) : to get the better of The hero got the best of the villain in the end. I let my emotions get the best of me and said something I regret. Let's face it: As much as we like to eat healthy, the old sweet tooth sometimes gets the best of us.—Denise I. O'Neal Synonyms Noun array bravery caparison feather finery frippery full dress gaiety gayety glad rags regalia Verb beat conquer defeat dispatch do down [British] get get around lick master overbear overcome overmatch prevail (over) skunk stop subdue surmount take trim triumph (over) upend win (against) worst See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective You should wear your best clothes tonight. We ate the best food and drank the best wines. His modesty and sense of humor are his best qualities. Is that your best offer? Which of these do you think tastes best? Mary sends you her very best wishes. She's the best student in her class. He won the award for best actor in a drama. She truly believes that this is the best way to solve the problem. She's the team's best hope for a medal. Adverb The sauce is best served cold. They work best under pressure. That's what we do best! We need to think about how best to fix this problem. The work should be done by the people who are best able to do it. She's best suited to life in the city. He is best known for his invention of the light bulb. The museum features some of the best-known examples of this style of painting. Noun Out of all of my workers, he's the best. Our company is the best in the business. Thanks, Dad. You're the best! I have one more gift for you, and I saved the best for last. Bad things happen to the best of us. They want the best for their children. Even in the best of times, we had trouble paying our bills. In the best of all possible worlds, no one would be without food and clean water. I have a wonderful family and a great job, so I feel that I have the best of both worlds. He did his best to help them. Verb at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts See More Recent Examples on the Web Adjective But his lifelong best friend will be with him back in the Dallas area. —Creg Stephenson \| Cstephenson@al.com, al, 6 Feb. 2023 Bring your family, mom, best friend or significant other to one of two time slots, 4 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14. —Laura GrochFeb. 5, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023 In a 1990 Gallup poll, 75% of respondents reported having a best friend. —Trey Williams, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2023 But this past week in Boston has been one of the best of his career. —Will Lee For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023 He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Goncalves and her best friend Maddie Mogen, both 21, along with Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2023 My best friend Vicky solved this by taking lots of pictures mere centimeters from his face, flash on, in case the police needed them for evidence. —Annie Lord, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2023 Hopefully, the real-life lawyers are settling the contracts so the onscreen lawyer and her best friend can reunite once more. —Vulture, 4 Feb. 2023 The most emotional moment arrived when Robinson walked onstage to pay tribute to his longtime mentor and best friend Gordy. —Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2023 Adverb Cruise ships are perhaps best known for amenities like buffets and swimming pools, but their medical facilities also have the capability to treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries, from common colds to heart attacks. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023 The new Virginia Tech campus also promises to transform Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood, best known now as the site of a large strip mall. —Teo Armus, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2023 The great 1906 earthquake, best known for destroying much of San Francisco, also triggered quakes much farther away on the same day, said seismologist Lucy Jones, a research associate at Caltech. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023 Desalu Naturals is a skincare brand with ingredients sourced from around Africa, and is best known for its oils and body butters. —Terri Huggins Hart, Woman's Day, 7 Feb. 2023 Prior to Squid Game, O was best known as a prominent stage actor who had appeared in acclaimed local adaptations of plays like King Lear and Faust. —Soo-mee Park, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2023 The university did not acquire the academy's debt, leaving that in the lap of Jones, its prominent founder and entrepreneur best known for developing technology that revolutionized voicemail. —Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Feb. 2023 Thule is best known for its car top carriers, but the brand brings its knack for sturdy cargo storage to this duffel bag as well. —Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023 Wright is best known for being a stand-up comedian, having previously appeared on Adam Devine's House Party and Laughs. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023 Noun Faced with these record economic headwinds, that could be a personal best. —Jenn Mcmillen, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 His 28-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the regular season was a personal best. —Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2023 Her personal best was a 2:33:46 set during the 2007 Twin Cities Marathon in St. Paul, Minnesota. —Brad Emons, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2022 For Reed, this was her first perfect 10 of her collegiate career—before then, her personal best was a 9.975 on floor. —Essence, 26 Jan. 2022 Being at our absolute best may not even equate to wins. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2022 Maybe the most surprised person in the stadium was Thompson-Herah, who didn’t expect a personal best. —Ken Goe For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2021 Your personal best was a little bit less than 26 feet. —Ben Shpigel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2021 Meanwhile, Andersen's throw was a mere 2 inches shy of Berry's personal best. —Eddie Pells, ajc, 27 June 2021 Verb The singer, who wont best new artist in 2009, went for an all-back look for the awards show. —Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 It’s the first time American has been able to best pre-pandemic earnings. —Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023 As his old boss Dave Aranda comes to Lubbock, McGuire will try to best him on the opposing sideline. —Dallas News, 26 Oct. 2022 After all, when enemies are at work trying to best your security protections, your team must be that much better. —Jeffrey Engle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022 In fact, all of those numbers best what Hall did this year. —Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Dec. 2022 But if another factor—their way of living—were compared, then the hunter-gathering Semaq Beri would best the more sedentary Semelai in odor-naming tests. —Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2018 Look for the youngster to best his season average for points and rebounds in what will be a high-scoring affair. —Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 10 Dec. 2022 This year was no different with Hayes being ready to best the course in a Santa Run suit. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022 Auxiliary verb Using the Best Methods Possible While Elegran may prioritize a human approach to real estate, Richter says that technology is not a hindrance but rather a necessary tool used to best serve clients. —Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 It’s the first time American has been able to best pre-pandemic earnings. —Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023 In fact, all of those numbers best what Hall did this year. —Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Dec. 2022 After all, when enemies are at work trying to best your security protections, your team must be that much better. —Jeffrey Engle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022 As his old boss Dave Aranda comes to Lubbock, McGuire will try to best him on the opposing sideline. —Dallas News, 26 Oct. 2022 But if another factor—their way of living—were compared, then the hunter-gathering Semaq Beri would best the more sedentary Semelai in odor-naming tests. —Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2018 Look for the youngster to best his season average for points and rebounds in what will be a high-scoring affair. —Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 10 Dec. 2022 This year was no different with Hayes being ready to best the course in a Santa Run suit. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English best, beste, going back to Old English betst, best, (as weak adjective) betsta, betesta, going back to Germanic batista-, superlative degree of the adjective seen in the comparative batizōn better entry 1, whence also Old Frisian best, bēst "best," Old Saxon betst, best, Old High German bezzisto, Old Icelandic beztr, baztr, Gothic batista Adverb Middle English, going back to Old English betst, betest, derivative of betst, best best entry 1 Noun Middle English, going back to Old English betste, derivative of betst, best best entry 1 Verb derivative of best entry 1, after better entry 2 Auxiliary verb by ellipsis from had best First Known Use Adjective before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adverb before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Verb 1863, in the meaning defined above Auxiliary Verb 1897, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing best (all) for the best (all) the best be best friends with as best one can best bib and tucker best-ball best/surest/safest bet best-laid plans best man best-kept secret best friends best friend best-case best of all best-seller list best (out) of three/five/seven best of luck feel one's best do one's best did her level best come off second best bring out the best in best seller have someone's (best) interests at heart he laughs best that laughs last he who laughs last, laughs best get the best of for the best honesty is the best policy hope for the best make the best of look one's best level best man's best friend make the best of it make the best of a bad job on one's best behavior one's level best personal best put one's best foot forward Sunday best the best/greatest thing since sliced bread the best/better/greater part of the best is yet to come/be the best the best of all (possible) worlds to the best of one's belief the best of both worlds to the best of someone's recollection to the best of one's knowledge try one's best/hardest with the best will in the world tried his level best know best next best in the best light know (what's) best on their best behavior second best best boy had best to the best of her ability the best of friends at best as best See More (all) for the best (all) the best be best friends with as best one can best bib and tucker best-ball best/surest/safest bet best-laid plans best man best-kept secret best friends best friend best-case best of all best-seller list best (out) of three/five/seven best of luck feel one's best do one's best did her level best come off second best bring out the best in best seller have someone's (best) interests at heart he laughs best that laughs last he who laughs last, laughs best get the best of for the best honesty is the best policy hope for the best make the best of look one's best level best man's best friend make the best of it make the best of a bad job on one's best behavior one's level best personal best put one's best foot forward Sunday best the best/greatest thing since sliced bread the best/better/greater part of the best is yet to come/be the best the best of all (possible) worlds to the best of one's belief the best of both worlds to the best of someone's recollection to the best of one's knowledge try one's best/hardest with the best will in the world tried his level best know best next best in the best light know (what's) best on their best behavior second best best boy had best to the best of her ability the best of friends at best as best See More Kids Definition best 1 of 4 adjective ˈbest superlative of good 1 : better than all others my best friend 2 : good or useful in the highest degree : most excellent the best movie I ever saw 3 : most entry 3, largest it rained for the best part of a week best 2 of 4 adverb superlative of well 1 : in the best way : to the greatest advantage some things are best left unsaid 2 : to the highest degree : most best able to do the work best 3 of 4 noun plural best 1 : the best state or part the best is yet to come 2 : one that is best even the best lose once in a while 3 a : one's greatest effort do your best b : best performance or achievement ran a new personal best 4 : best clothes put on your Sunday best best 4 of 4 verb : to get the better of : outdo bested us in every event Biographical Definition Best biographical name ˈbest Charles Herbert 1899–1978 Canadian (American-born) physiologist bested verb past tense of best as in defeated to achieve a victory over at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance defeated mastered overcame beat conquered got dispatched took stopped surmounted subdued succeeded overmatched licked worsted upended surpassed trimmed skunked finished overwhelmed excelled trounced got around swept got the better of exceeded topped scored did down buried excelled prevailed (over) overbore won (against) clobbered bettered pipped triumphed (over) slaughtered upset crushed annihilated outdid outstripped outdistanced vanquished thrashed eclipsed outshone routed walloped overpowered flattened knocked for a loop unseated whipped flourished capped bombed shellacked transcended blew out creamed skinned smoked subjugated drubbed outshined broke blew away overthrew waxed nosed out outfought snowed under knocked over overtopped knocked off edged (out) aced (out) Antonyms & Near Antonyms lost (to) fell failed went down collapsed gave up folded washed out went under flunked flopped See More
随便看	preconciliar precondemn precondemned precondemning precondemns precondition preconditioned preconditioning preconditions preconference preconfigure preconfigured preconfiguring preconisation preconisations preconise preconised preconises preconising preconization preconizations preconize preconized preconizes preconizing

best

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

auxiliary verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing best

Kids Definition

Biographical Definition

biographical name

verb