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best

/ˈbɛst/noun, verb, adjective, adverb1 syllable

Best means: having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified.

Synonyms for best143

noun, as in Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)

C. H. Best, Charles Herbert Best

noun, as in the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others

topper

verb, as in get the better of

outdo, outflank, trump, scoop

adjective, as in having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

good, bang-up, bully, corking, cracking, dandy, great, groovy, keen, neat, nifty, not bad, peachy, slap-up
and 11 more, swell, smashing, old, good enough, goodish, hot, redeeming, satisfactory, acceptable, decent, solid

adjective, as in (superlative of ‘good’) having the most positive qualities

champion, prizewinning, high-grade, top-quality, top-grade, first, foremost, world-class, go-to-meeting, Sunday-go-to-meeting, optimum, optimal, primo, record-breaking
and 10 more, second-best, superfine, unexcelled, unexceeded, unsurpassed, unsurpassable, good, incomparable, uncomparable, superior

adjective, as in morally admirable

good, angelic, angelical, beatific, saintlike, saintly, sainted, goody-goody, redemptive, redeeming, saving, white, moral, right, righteous, virtuous, worthy

adjective, as in having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

adept, expert, good, practiced, proficient, skillful, skilful, skilled

adjective, as in deserving of esteem and respect

adjective, as in promoting or enhancing well-being

adjective, as in financially safe

dependable, good, safe, secure, sound

adjective, as in exerting force or influence

effective, good, in effect, in force, operative

adjective, as in of moral excellence

adjective, as in with or in a close or intimate relationship

adjective, as in most suitable or right for a particular purpose

good, right, ripe, opportune

adjective, as in not forged

adjective, as in not left to spoil

good, unspoiled, unspoilt, fresh

adjective, as in having the normally expected amount

adjective, as in resulting favorably

adjective, as in appealing to the mind

adjective, as in in excellent physical condition

adjective, as in tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health

good, salutary, healthful

adjective, as in (comparative and superlative of ‘well’) wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable

better, advisable

adjective, as in agreeable or pleasing

adjective, as in thorough

adjective, as in capable of pleasing

adjective, as in generally admired

good, discriminating

adverb, as in to a great extent or degree

well, considerably, substantially

adverb, as in (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (‘good’ is a nonstandard dialectal variant for ‘well’)

adverb, as in indicating high probability; in all likelihood

adverb, as in with great or especially intimate knowledge

well, intimately

adverb, as in in a manner affording benefit or advantage

well, advantageously

adverb, as in in financial comfort

adverb, as in from a position of superiority or authority

adverb, as in thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form

adverb, as in (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully

adverb, as in to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree

adverb, as in favorably; with approval

adverb, as in with prudence or propriety

adverb, as in with skill or in a pleasing manner

adverb, as in without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor

also used for best

all that and a bag of chips, antelope's cantaloupes, ant's pants, bee's knees, bollocks, cat's ass, cat's meow, cat's pajamas, cat's pyjamas, cat's whiskers, cream of the crop, crème de la crème, da bomb, dog's bollocks, dog's dangly bits

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Opposites of best

What does best mean?43

adjective

1

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified“good news from the hospital”

2

(superlative of ‘good’) having the most positive qualities“the best film of the year”

3

morally admirable

4

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude“adept in handicrafts”

5

deserving of esteem and respect“all respectable companies give guarantees”

6

promoting or enhancing well-being“an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries”

7

financially safe“a good investment”

8

exerting force or influence“the law is effective immediately”

9

of moral excellence“a genuinely good person”

10

with or in a close or intimate relationship“a good friend”

11

most suitable or right for a particular purpose“a good time to plant tomatoes”

12

not forged“a good dollar bill”

13

not left to spoil“the meat is still good”

14

having the normally expected amount“gives full measure”

15

resulting favorably“it's a good thing that I wasn't there”

16

appealing to the mind“good music”

17

in excellent physical condition“good teeth”

18

tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health“beneficial effects of a balanced diet”

19

(comparative and superlative of ‘well’) wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable“it would be better to speak to him”

20

agreeable or pleasing“we all had a good time”

21

thorough“had a good workout”

22

capable of pleasing“good looks”

23

generally admired“good taste”

verb

1

get the better of“the goal was to best the competition”

adverb

1

to a great extent or degree“I'm afraid the film was well over budget”

2

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (‘good’ is a nonstandard dialectal variant for ‘well’)“the children behaved well”

3

indicating high probability; in all likelihood“I might well do it”

4

with great or especially intimate knowledge“we knew them well”

5

in a manner affording benefit or advantage“she married well”

6

in financial comfort“They live well”

7

from a position of superiority or authority“father knows best”

8

thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form“The problem is well understood”

9

(used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully“a book well worth reading”

10

to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree“the project was well underway”

11

favorably; with approval“their neighbors spoke well of them”

12

with prudence or propriety“You would do well to say nothing more”

13

with skill or in a pleasing manner“she dances well”

14

without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor“took the joke well”

15

in a most excellent way or manner“he played best after a couple of martinis”

16

it would be sensible“you'd best stay at home”

noun

1

Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)

2

the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others“he could beat the best of them”

3

the supreme effort one can make“they did their best”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with best?51

Show 40 near rhymes

All 51 rhymes for best, grouped by syllable

Best in a sentence

  • As singers go, she is among the best in the country.CM
  • No matter what you do, do your best.blay_paul
  • Whatever you do, you must do your best.Dejo
  • Whatever you may do, you must do your best.shanghainese
  • Though the doctor did his best, the patient's recovery was slow.CK
  • No doubt he did his best, but he didn't succeed.CK
  • Which do you like best, apples, oranges or grapes?CK
  • If you try at all, you should try your best.AlanF_US

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of best

as a noun

plural
bests

as a verb

past tense
bested
present participle
besting
third-person singular
bests
past participle
bested