The word "best" is often used to describe something that is of the highest quality or most favorable in a given situation. Borrowed from Middle English beste (whence modern English beast), from Old French beste, from Latin bēstia. Best (comparative (nonstandard, humorous) bester, superlative (nonstandard, humorous) bestest) Go beyond just looking up words.Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.
Nothing is better than the best — this is a word for the absolute number one example of something. 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 better 1, -est 1 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
He gave his best performance in the play. Antonyms of "best" reflect the opposite qualities, indicating lower quality or performance. The 'e' is pronounced as a short vowel sound, and the 'st' ending is sharp and crisp.
idioms
The 21-year-old now has the best figures in the format, besting the previous record held by Bhutan's Sonam Yeshey, who took eight wickets for seven runs against Myanmar in a men's T20 international in 2025. Among the company’s business segments, second-quarter sales for aeronautics, which includes the F-35 fighter jet, rose 9.3% to $8.11 billion, besting the FactSet consensus of $7.61 billion. Alphabet’s shares are up roughly 70% in the past year—easily besting its Big Tech competitors. Colby Parkinson has 43 catches, eight for touchdowns, both career bests. On a population-adjusted basis, by my calculation, only FDR bests him—FDR whose four presidential runs were all blowouts. People also use this word to recommend something, as in "It would be best to get a lot of sleep."
Use "best" to describe something that is superior or excellent. It is used to describe something that stands out in comparison to others due to its superior attributes or performance. Idioms often use the concept of "best" to convey excellence or superiority. There are several variants of the word "best," each with its unique usage and context. This is often seen in competitive contexts, such as "She bested all her rivals in the race."
Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage.
Definition of "Best": Highest Quality or Excellence
- Common misspellings of "best" include bset, besst, bestt, bests, and beest.
- Borrowed from Middle English beste (whence modern English beast), from Old French beste, from Latin bēstia.
- "Best" means of the highest quality or most excellent.
- "Best" means something that is superior or of the highest quality in comparison to others.
- These errors typically occur due to typographical mistakes or confusion with similar-sounding words.
There are many synonyms for "best" that convey similar meanings of excellence and superiority. As a verb, "best" means to outdo or surpass someone in excellence or achievement. As a noun, "best" refers to the highest level of quality or performance achieved.
GM shares rose 5% after GM disclosed its second-quarter financial results, including per-share earnings that bested Wall Street expectations. Its third-quarter guidance for both profit and sales, at the midpoint, also bested forecasts. From 1950 to 1955, the Martin-and-Lewis-hosted “Colgate Comedy Hour” frequently bested Sullivan in the ratings.
The oysterman and former Marine who bested a popular governor and built a grass-roots network of more than 15,000 supporters in Maine announced he was suspending his campaign on Wednesday night. Understanding this word helps in recognizing when something or someone stands out in excellence. For example, "He bested his opponent in the final match," means he outperformed or defeated his opponent. "Best" can function as both a noun and an adjective. Synonyms for "best" include finest, prime, superior, supreme, top, unsurpassed, excellent, outstanding, greatest, and optimal.
A common ordinary seaman bests the great Inigo Montoya with the sword? But the third, about a Latino World War II pilot who bests a Yautja in a deadly flight contest, underscores ingenuity as being superior to any weapon or combat skill. Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. U.S Dictionary is the premier dictionary about the English language as used in the United States best crypto casino no kyc of America. Most people won't. Learning such commonly used adjectives can enhance descriptive writing skills and make comparisons more effective in conversations.
Yes, "best" can be used as a verb meaning to outdo or surpass. "Best" means of the highest quality or most excellent. "Best" has several derivatives and compounds, expanding its usage. Several terms are related to "best," sharing similar meanings or contexts. It is common in literature, advertising, and everyday conversations to emphasize quality and superiority. Winning the championship was his best achievement.
As an adjective, "best" describes something of the highest quality or standing. Let's look at these different definitions and their practical applications. Additionally, "best" can indicate someone's finest effort or highest achievement.