best
Noun · Verb · Adjective · AdverbOpen English WordNet
Adjective (2)
- (superlative of ‘good’) having the most positive qualities“the best film of the year”“the best solution”“the best time for planting”“wore his best suit”Opposite worstSimilar optimum, first, high-grade, champion, superfine, go-to-meeting, unsurpassable, record-breaking +3 moreSee also incomparable, good, superior, top
- (comparative and superlative of ‘well’) wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable“it would be better to speak to him”“the White House thought it best not to respond”Synonyms: betterOpposite inadvisableSimilar advisable
Adverb (3)
- in a most excellent way or manner“he played best after a couple of martinis”
- it would be sensible“you'd best stay at home”
- from a position of superiority or authority“father knows best”“I know better.”Synonyms: better
Noun (3)
- the supreme effort one can make“they did their best”Opposite worstType of attempt, effort
- the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others“he could beat the best of them”Synonyms: topperType of actor, doer
- Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)Synonyms: C. H. BestCharles Herbert BestInstance of physiologist
Verb (1)bested
- get the better of“the goal was to best the competition”Synonyms: outdooutflanktrumpscoopMore general beat, beat outMore specific outmaneuver, outmanoeuvre
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Translations
Adjective superlative of the adjective good
Noun one's utmost effort
Adverb superlative of the adverb well
The main translation for each meaning, from the langtolang.com multilingual dictionary. Each word links to its full entry there.
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: AS. besta, best, contr. from betest, betst, betsta; akin to Goth. batists, OHG. pezzisto, G. best, beste, D. best, Icel. beztr, Dan. best, Sw. bäst. This word has no connection in origin with good. See Better.
1. Having good qualities in the highest degree; most good, kind, desirable, suitable, etc.; most excellent; as, the best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best abilities.
When he is best, he is a little worse than a man.— William Shakespeare
Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight.— John Milton
2. Most advanced; most correct or complete; as, the best scholar; the best view of a subject.
3. Most; largest; as, the best part of a week.
Best man, the only or principal groomsman at a wedding ceremony.
Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action; as, to do one's best; to the best of our ability.
At best, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; under the most favorable circumstances; as, life is at best very short. — For best, finally. obsolete “Those constitutions... are now established for best, and not to be mended.” John Milton — To get the best of, to gain an advantage over, whether fairly or unfairly. — To make the best of. (a) To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the greatest advantage. “Let there be freedom to carry their commodities where they can make the best of them.” Francis, Baron Verulam Bacon (b) To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.
1. In the highest degree; beyond all others. “Thou serpent! That name best befits thee.” John Milton
He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small.— Samuel T. Coleridge
2. To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety.
Had we best retire? I see a storm.— John Milton
Had I not best go to her?— William M. Thackeray
3. Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself.
To get the better of. colloquial
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54