adjective,superlative of good, with better as comparative.
of the highest quality, excellence, or standing: the best work; the best students.
most advantageous, suitable, or desirable: the best way.
largest; most: the best part of a day.
adverb,superlative of well, with better as comparative.
most excellently or suitably; with most advantage or success: an opera role that best suits her voice.
in or to the highest degree; most fully (usually used in combination): best-suited; best-known; best-loved.
noun
something or someone that is best: They always demand and get the best. The best of us can make mistakes.
a person's finest clothing: It's important that you wear your best.
a person's most agreeable or desirable emotional state (often preceded by at).
a person's highest degree of competence, inspiration, etc. (often preceded by at).
the highest quality to be found in a given activity or category of things (often preceded by at): cabinetmaking at its best.
the best effort that a person, group, or thing can make: Their best fell far short of excellence.
a person's best wishes or kindest regards: Please give my best to your father.
verb (used with object)
to get the better of; defeat; beat: He easily bested his opponent in hand-to-hand combat. She bested me in the argument.
Idioms for best
all for the best, for the good as the final result; to an ultimate advantage: At the time it was hard to realize how it could be all for the best.Also for the best .
as best one can, in the best way possible under the circumstances: We tried to smooth over the disagreement as best we could.
at best, under the most favorable circumstances: You may expect to be treated civilly, at best.
get / have the best of,
to gain the advantage over.
to defeat; subdue: His arthritis gets the best of him from time to time.
had best, would be wisest or most reasonable to; ought to: You had best phone your mother to tell her where you are going.
make the best of, to cope with in the best way possible: to make the best of a bad situation.
with the best, on a par with the most capable: He can play bridge with the best.
Origin of best
First recorded before 900; Middle English beste, Old English betst, best; cognate with Dutch best, Old High German bezzist (German best ), Old Norse bezt, Gothic batists. See better1, -est1
Words nearby best
Bessemer, Bessemer converter, Bessemer process, Bessemer steel, Bessie, best, best-ball, best-ball foursome, best-ball match, best bib and tucker, best boy
Definition for best (2 of 2)
Best
[ best ]
/ bɛst /
noun
Charles Herbert, 1899–1978, Canadian physiologist, born in the U.S.: one of the discoverers of insulin.
Her style, much like her diminutive nickname, is best described as “Hamptons twee”—preppy and peppy.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps on his own nowadays, Epstein is trying his best to webmaster over a dozen URLs.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Scalise spoke briefly, adding little of substance, saying that the people back home know him best.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The jokes and drinks, which curiously resemble each other, are the best.
Letters from America|Rupert Brooke
Breakfast over, each individual disposes of himself as best accords with inclination or interest.
Forest Life and Forest Trees: comprising winter camp-life among the loggers, and wild-wood adventure.|John S. Springer
It did seem to me that some of our best officers were invariably placed in the most unimportant positions and commands.
Adventures and Reminiscences of a Volunteer|George T. Ulmer
At that age and in its then condition a strong ruler--native if possible, if not, foreign--was by far the best hope for Ireland.
The Story Of Ireland|Emily Lawless
One thing is very certain, for I have it on very good—I may say, the best—authority.
An Englishman in Paris|Albert D. (Albert Dresden) Vandam
British Dictionary definitions for best (1 of 2)
best
/ (bɛst) /
adjective
the superlative of good
most excellent of a particular group, category, etc
most suitable, advantageous, desirable, attractive, etc
the best part ofmost ofthe best part of an hour
put one's best foot forward
to do one's utmost to make progress
to hurry
adverb
the superlative of well 1
in a manner surpassing all others; most excellently, advantageously, attractively, etc
(in combination)in or to the greatest degree or extent; mostthe best-loved hero
as best one canoras best one mayas effectively as possible within one's limitations
had bestwould be wise, sensible, etc, toyou had best go now
noun
the bestthe most outstanding or excellent person, thing, or group in a category
(often preceded by at)the most excellent, pleasing, or skilled quality or conditionjournalism at its best
the most effective effort of which a person or group is capableeven their best was inadequate
a winning majoritythe best of three games
Also: all the bestbest wishesshe sent him her best
a person's smartest outfit of clothing
at best
in the most favourable interpretation
under the most favourable conditions
for the best
for an ultimately good outcome
with good intentionshe meant it for the best
get the best oforhave the best ofto surpass, defeat, or outwit; better
give someone the bestto concede someone's superiority
make the best ofto cope as well as possible in the unfavourable circumstances of (often in the phrases make the best of a bad job, make the best of it)
six of the bestinformalsix strokes with a cane on the buttocks or hand
verb
(tr)to gain the advantage over or defeat
Word Origin for best
Old English betst; related to Gothic batista, Old High German bezzist
British Dictionary definitions for best (2 of 2)
Best
/ (bɛst) /
noun
Charles Herbert . 1899–1978, Canadian physiologist: associated with Banting and Macleod in their discovery of insulin in 1922
American-born Canadian physiologist who assisted Frederick Banting in the discovery of the hormone insulin. In acknowledgment of his work, Banting shared his portion of the 1923 Nobel Prize with Best. In addition to further refining the use of insulin, Best later discovered the vitamin choline and the enzyme histaminase, which breaks down histamine.