have the best of

Variant of best

best definition

best (best)

adjective

  1. good
  2. of the most excellent sort; surpassing all others
  3. most suitable, most desirable, most favorable, most profitable, etc.
  4. being almost the whole; largest it took the best part of an hour

Etymology: ME best, betst < OE betst (akin to Goth batists) < ? IE base *bhad-, good > Sans bhadrá-ḥ, fortunate, good

adverb

  1. well
  2. in the most excellent manner; in the most suitable way
  3. in the highest degree; to the greatest extent; most

noun

  1. people of the highest worth, ability, or reputation among the best in his profession
  2. the thing, condition, circumstance, action, etc. that is most excellent, most suitable, etc.
  3. the most one can do; utmost to do one's best
  4. advantage to get the best of an opponent
  5. one's finest clothes

transitive verb

to win out over; defeat or outdo
best Idioms

all for the best

turning out to be good or fortunate after all

as best one can

as well as one can

at best

  1. under the most favorable conditions or interpretation
  2. at most

at one's best

in one's best mood, form, health, etc.

get the best of

or have the best of
  1. to outdo, overcome, or defeat
  2. to outwit

had best

ought to; would be prudent or wise to

make the best of

to do as well as one can with

with the best

as ably as the most able

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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