best
The definition of best is better than all others.
(adjective)An example of best is the first prize award at the science fair.
Best means in the greatest advantage or manner.
(adverb)An example of best is tutoring with the most capable tutor for a struggling peer.
Best is defined as the greatest degree or highest efforts.
(noun)An example of best is having tried as hard as possible to finish a race.
See best in Webster's New World College Dictionary
adjective
- good
- of the most excellent sort; surpassing all others
- most suitable, most desirable, most favorable, most profitable, etc.
- being almost the whole; largest: it took the best part of an hour
Origin: ME best, betst < OE betst (akin to Goth batists) < ? IE base *bhad-, good > Sans bhadrá-ḥ, fortunate, good
adverb
- well
- in the most excellent manner; in the most suitable way
- in the highest degree; to the greatest extent; most
noun
- people of the highest worth, ability, or reputation: among the best in his profession
- the thing, condition, circumstance, action, etc. that is most excellent, most suitable, etc.
- the most one can do; utmost: to do one's best
- advantage: to get the best of an opponent
- one's finest clothes
transitive verb
See best in American Heritage Dictionary 4
adjective Superlative of good.
- Surpassing all others in excellence, achievement, or quality; most excellent: the best performer; the best grade of ore.
- Most satisfactory, suitable, or useful; most desirable: the best solution; the best time for planting.
- Greatest; most: He spoke for the best part of an hour.
- Most highly skilled: the best doctor in town.
- In a most excellent way; most creditably or advantageously.
- To the greatest degree or extent; most: “He was certainly the best hated man in the ship” (W. Somerset Maugham).
- One that surpasses all others.
- The best part, moment, or value: The best is still to come. Let's get the best out of life.
- The optimum condition or quality: look your best. She was at her best in the freestyle competition.
- One's nicest or most formal clothing.
- The supreme effort one can make: doing our best.
- One's warmest wishes or regards: Give them my best.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old English betst; see bhad- in Indo-European roots
. Usage Note: According to a traditional rule of grammar, better, not best, should be used in comparisons between two things: Which house of Congress has the better attendance record? This rule is often ignored in practice, but it still has many devoted adherents. In certain fixed expressions, however, best is used idiomatically for comparisons between two: Put your best foot forward. May the best team win! See Usage Notes at have, rather.
Learn more about best
