best

Plural

bests

Adjective

Adjective

×

A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.

1. 1.superlative form of good: most good.

   • I can either be your best friend or your worst enemy.

2. 2.Most; largest.

   • Unpacking took the best part of a week.

3. 3.Most superior; most favorable.

   • In my opinion, mushrooms are the best pizza toppings.

Adverb

Adverb

×

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a clause.

1. 1.superlative form of well: most well

   • He prayeth best, who loveth best / All things both great and small.
   • A popular aphorism says it best: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

2. 2.To the most advantage; with the most success, cause, profit, benefit, or propriety.

   • Had I not best go to her?
   • You'd best save a backup copy, just in case the morons lose the one that you sent and then try to act like you never sent one.

Noun

Noun

×

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

1. 1.The supreme effort one can make, or has made.

   • My personal best in that race is eighteen minutes, four seconds.
   • Home defender Per Mertesacker had to be at his best to stop a dangerous cross from Vassilis Torossidis reaching Djebbour, but moments later Arsenal doubled their lead through Santos.

2. 2.The person (or persons; or thing or things) that is (are) most excellent.

   • I love it so much! It's the best.
   • We're (the) best of friends, who fortunately enjoy the best of health.
   • But in true Cincinnati style, the bests consistently outnumber the worsts.

3. 3.One's best behavior.

   • I was somewhat distant lately, and my lady promised me head every Tuesday of the week when I’m nice to her, so I better be on my best.

Overall

Very common· #281

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Common

General reading & writing

Very common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Uncommon

Word family

• be