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best

adverb · noun · adjective · verb

Form of good , superlative of good.

Simple meaning

In a most excellent way or way.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

behst
US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈbɛst

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

adverb

  1. In a most excellent way or manner

    “He played best after a couple of martinis.”

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

noun

  1. The person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others

    “He could beat the best of them.”

  2. countableoften used after definite article

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

  3. The supreme effort one can make

  4. uncountableoften used after possessive determiners

    One's best behavior.

adjective

  1. Most superior; most favorable.

  2. Most; largest.

  3. superlative of `good'

    Having the most positive qualities

verb

  1. transitive

    To surpass in skill or achievement.

  2. transitive

    To beat in a contest.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
A1 · Beginner
Frequency
Very Common
Typical Use
Everyday English

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: In a most excellent way or manner

Used this way, best is a common word with a clearly warm, approving pull. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Heard in a sentence
“He played best after a couple of martinis.”
Emotional tone
Positive
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Moderate
How common
Common
Connotation
Positive and appreciative
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

How It’s Used

The word’s distinct uses, one example each.

  • Excellentadverb

    “He played best after a couple of martinis.”

  • Outstandingnoun

    “He could beat the best of them.”

More ways to use best

  • “He could beat the best of them.”noun

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

best friendsbest knownbest possible

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Word Family

Related forms, grouped by how they connect.

Word family

Words built from the same root.

  • bestiarynounDerived noun

    A medieval book (usually illustrated) with allegorical and amusing descriptions of real and fabled animals.

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

  • best evidence rulenounCompound term

    A rule of evidence requiring that to prove the content of a writing or recording or photograph the original is required.

  • best friendnounCompound term

    The one friend who is closest to you.

  • best and greatestnounCompound term

    An epithet for Jupiter.

  • best mannounCompound term

    The principal groomsman at a wedding.

  • best of alladverbCompound term

    Especially fortunate.

  • best sellernounCompound term

    A book that has had a large and rapid sale.

More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin

Synonyms

Sense: person who is most outstanding or excellent

optimaloptimum

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.