best

[ best ]

/ bɛst /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR best ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, superl. of good with better as compar.

of the highest quality, excellence, or standing: the best work; the best students.

most advantageous, suitable, or desirable: the best way.

largest; most: the best part of a day.

adverb, superl. of well with better as compar.

most excellently or suitably; with most advantage or success: an opera role that best suits her voice.

in or to the highest degree; most fully (usually used in combination): best-suited; best-known; best-loved.

noun

something or someone that is best: They always demand and get the best. The best of us can make mistakes.

a person's finest clothing: It's important that you wear your best.

a person's most agreeable or desirable emotional state (often preceded by at).

a person's highest degree of competence, inspiration, etc. (often preceded by at).

the highest quality to be found in a given activity or category of things (often preceded by at): cabinetmaking at its best.

the best effort that a person, group, or thing can make: Their best fell far short of excellence.

a person's best wishes or kindest regards: Please give my best to your father.

verb (used with object)

to get the better of; defeat; beat: He easily bested his opponent in hand-to-hand combat. She bested me in the argument.

Idioms for best

all for the best, for the good as the final result; to an ultimate advantage: At the time it was hard to realize how it could be all for the best. Also for the best.

as best one can, in the best way possible under the circumstances: We tried to smooth over the disagreement as best we could.

at best, under the most favorable circumstances: You may expect to be treated civilly, at best.

get/have the best of,

to gain the advantage over.
to defeat; subdue: His arthritis gets the best of him from time to time.

had best, would be wisest or most reasonable to; ought to: You had best phone your mother to tell her where you are going.

make the best of, to cope with in the best way possible: to make the best of a bad situation.

with the best, on a par with the most capable: He can play bridge with the best.

Origin of best

before 900; Middle English beste, Old English betst, best; cognate with Dutch best, Old High German bezzist (German best), Old Norse bezt, Gothic batists. See better¹, -est¹

Words nearby best

bessemer, bessemer converter, bessemer process, bessemer steel, bessie, best, best bib and tucker, best boy, best end, best girl, best in show

Definition for best (2 of 5)

Best

[ best ]

/ bɛst /

noun

Charles Herbert,1899–1978, Canadian physiologist, born in the U.S.: one of the discoverers of insulin.

Definition for best (3 of 5)

good

[ good ]

/ gʊd /

adjective, bet·ter, best.

morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious: a good man.

satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree: a good teacher; good health.

of high quality; excellent.

right; proper; fit: It is good that you are here. His credentials are good.

well-behaved: a good child.

kind, beneficent, or friendly: to do a good deed.

honorable or worthy; in good standing: a good name.

educated and refined: She has a good background.

financially sound or safe: His credit is good.

genuine; not counterfeit: a good quarter.

sound or valid: good judgment; good reasons.

reliable; dependable; responsible: good advice.

healthful; beneficial: Fresh fruit is good for you.

in excellent condition; healthy: good teeth.

not spoiled or tainted; edible; palatable: The meat was still good after three months in the freezer.

favorable; propitious: good news.

cheerful; optimistic; amiable: in good spirits.

free of distress or pain; comfortable: to feel good after surgery.

agreeable; pleasant: Have a good time.

attractive; handsome: She has a good figure.

(of the complexion) smooth; free from blemish.

close or intimate; warm: She's a good friend of mine.

sufficient or ample: a good supply.

advantageous; satisfactory for the purpose: a good day for fishing.

competent or skillful; clever: a good manager; good at arithmetic.

skillfully or expertly done: a really good job; a good play.

conforming to rules of grammar, usage, etc.; correct: good English.

socially proper: good manners.

remaining available to one: Don't throw good money after bad.

comparatively new or of relatively fine quality: Don't play in the mud in your good clothes.

finest or most dressy: He wore his good suit to the office today.

full: a good day's journey away.

fairly large or great: a good amount.

free from precipitation or cloudiness: good weather.

Medicine/Medical. (of a patient's condition) having stable and normal vital signs, being conscious and comfortable, and having excellent appetite, mobility, etc.

fertile; rich: good soil.

loyal: a good Democrat.

(of a return or service in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) landing within the limits of a court or section of a court.

Informal. (used when declining an offer or suggestion, as to communicate that one is already satisfied): "More coffee?" "No thanks, I’m good!"

Horse Racing. (of the surface of a track) drying after a rain so as to be still slightly sticky: This horse runs best on a good track.

(of meat, especially beef) noting or pertaining to the specific grade below “choice,” containing more lean muscle and less edible fat than “prime” or “choice.”

favorably regarded (used as an epithet for a ship, town, etc.): the good ship Syrena.

noun

profit or advantage; worth; benefit: What good will that do? We shall work for the common good.

excellence or merit; kindness: to do good.

moral righteousness; virtue: to be a power for good.

(especially in the grading of U.S. beef) an official grade below that of “choice.”

goods,

possessions, especially movable effects or personal property.
articles of trade; wares; merchandise: canned goods.
Informal. what has been promised or is expected: to deliver the goods.
Informal. the genuine article.
Informal. evidence of guilt, as stolen articles: to catch someone with the goods.
cloth or textile material: top-quality linen goods.
Chiefly British. merchandise sent by land, rather than by water or air.

the good,

the ideal of goodness or morality.
good things or persons collectively.

interjection

(used as an expression of approval or satisfaction): Good! Now we can all go home.

adverb

Informal. well¹(defs 1–3, 8): I wish I could cook this good! Yes, we knew him pretty good.

Origin of good

before 900; Middle English (adj., adv., and noun); Old English gōd (adj.); cognate with Dutch goed, German gut, Old Norse gōthr, Gothic goths

SYNONYMS FOR good

1 pure, moral, conscientious, meritorious, worthy, exemplary, upright.

2 commendable, admirable.

5 obedient, heedful.

6 kindly, benevolent, humane, gracious, obliging.

23 full, adequate.

24 profitable, useful, serviceable, beneficial.

25 efficient, proficient, capable, able, ready, suited, suitable, dexterous, expert, adroit, apt.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR good ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for good

47. See property.

usage note for good

Good is common as an adverb in informal speech, especially after forms of do: He did good on the test. She sees good with her new glasses. This use does not occur in formal speech or edited writing, where the adverb well is used instead: He did well on the test. She sees well with her new glasses.
The adjective good is standard after linking verbs like taste, smell, look, feel, be, and seem: Everything tastes good. The biscuits smell good. You're looking good today. When used after look or feel, good may refer to spirits as well as health: I'm feeling pretty good this morning, ready to take on the world. Well is both an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective used after look, feel, or other linking verbs, it often refers to good health: You're looking well; we missed you while you were in the hospital. See also bad.

OTHER WORDS FROM good

qua·si-good, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH good

good well (see usage note at the current entry)

Definition for best (4 of 5)

well ¹

[ wel ]

/ wɛl /

adverb

in a good or satisfactory manner: Business is going well.

thoroughly, carefully, or soundly: to shake well before using; listen well.

in a moral or proper manner: to behave well.

commendably, meritoriously, or excellently: a difficult task well done.

with propriety, justice, or reason: I could not well refuse.

adequately or sufficiently: Think well before you act.

to a considerable extent or degree (often used in combination): a sum well over the amount agreed upon; a well-developed theme.

with great or intimate knowledge: to know a person well.

certainly; without doubt: I anger easily, as you well know.

with good nature; without rancor: He took the joke well.

adjective, comparative bet·ter, superlative best.

in good health; sound in body and mind: Are you well? He is not a well man.

satisfactory, pleasing, or good: All is well with us.

proper, fitting, or gratifying: It is well that you didn't go.

in a satisfactory position; well-off: I am very well as I am.

interjection

(used to express surprise, reproof, etc.): Well! There's no need to shout.

(used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.): Well, who would have thought he could do it?

noun

well-being; good fortune; success: to wish well to someone.

Origin of well

before 900; Middle English, Old English wel(l) (adj. and adv.); cognate with Dutch wel, German wohl, Old Norse vel, Gothic waila

SYNONYMS FOR well

3 properly, correctly.

4 skillfully, adeptly, accurately, efficiently.

5 suitably.

6 fully, amply.

7 rather, quite.

11 healthy, hale, hearty.

12 fine.

13 suitable, befitting, appropriate.

14 fortunate, happy.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR well ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR well

3 poorly, badly.

11 ill, sick.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR well ON THESAURUS.COM

grammar notes for well

Sometimes an adverb like well is so often placed in front of and combined with a certain past participle in order to modify it that the resulting adjectival combination achieves the status of a common word and is listed in dictionaries. In Dictionary.com you will find, for example, entries for well-advised and well-mannered; for ill-advised, ill-bred, and ill-conceived; and for half-baked and half-cocked. Some of these terms are given full definitions, while others are considered such obvious combinations that you can figure out for yourself what they must mean. It is important to note, however, that compound adjectives like these are hyphenated for use before the noun they modify together. Thus we say that someone is “a well-loved professor,” but there would be no hyphen between well and loved in a sentence like “My English professor is well loved and deserves the award.”
In a similar manner, adjectival compounds formed with better, best, little, lesser, least, etc., are also hyphenated when placed before the noun ( a little-understood theory ), but the hyphen is dropped when the adjectival combination follows the noun ( his films are best known in England ) or is itself modified by an adverb ( a too little understood theory ).
There are exceptions to this pattern. For example, when the combining adverb ends in –ly, no hyphen is required, whether the resulting adjectival combination appears before or after the noun: a highly regarded surgeon; a surgeon who is highly regarded.
Don’t let the hyphens fool you. Punctuation can be tricky!

usage note for well

See good.

Definition for best (5 of 5)

well ²

[ wel ]

/ wɛl /

noun

a hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, natural gas, brine, or sulfur.

a spring or natural source of water.

an apparent reservoir or a source of human feelings, emotions, energy, etc.: He was a well of gentleness and courtesy.

a container, receptacle, or reservoir for a liquid: the well of ink in a fountain pen.

any sunken or deep, enclosed space, as a shaft for air or light, stairs, or an elevator, extending vertically through the floors of a building.

Nautical.

a part of a weather deck between two superstructures, extending from one side of a vessel to the other.
a compartment or enclosure around a ship's pumps to make them easily accessible and protect them from being damaged by the cargo.

a hollow compartment, recessed area, or depression for holding a specific item or items, as fish in the bottom of a boat or the retracted wheels of an airplane in flight.

any shaft dug or bored into the earth, as for storage space or a mine.

verb (used without object)

to rise, spring, or gush, as water, from the earth or some other source (often followed by up, out, or forth): Tears welled up in my eyes.

verb (used with object)

to send welling up or forth: a fountain welling its pure water.

adjective

like, of, resembling, from, or used in connection with a well.

Origin of well

before 900; (noun) Middle English well(e), Old English wylle, wella, welle; cognate with German Welle wave; (v.) Middle English wellen, Old English wellan (cognate with Dutch wellen, Old Norse vella); both noun and v. ultimately akin to weallan to boil

SYNONYMS FOR well

3 store, fund, mine, fount.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR well ON THESAURUS.COM

Example sentences from the Web for best

The best comparison here for an American audience is, well, Internet stuff.

Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie |Arthur Chu |January 9, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
Strangio is at his best when exposing what appears to be a flourishing civil society in Cambodia.

Cambodia’s Smoke-and-Mirrors Democracy |David Shaftel |January 9, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
Her style, much like her diminutive nickname, is best described as “Hamptons twee”—preppy and peppy.

How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze |Lizzie Crocker |January 9, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
Perhaps on his own nowadays, Epstein is trying his best to webmaster over a dozen URLs.

Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking |M.L. Nestel |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST

Scalise spoke briefly, adding little of substance, saying that the people back home know him best.

The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence |Jason Berry |January 7, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
The jokes and drinks, which curiously resemble each other, are the best.

Letters from America |Rupert Brooke
Breakfast over, each individual disposes of himself as best accords with inclination or interest.

Forest Life and Forest Trees: comprising winter camp-life among the loggers, and wild-wood adventure. |John S. Springer
It did seem to me that some of our best officers were invariably placed in the most unimportant positions and commands.

Adventures and Reminiscences of a Volunteer |George T. Ulmer
At that age and in its then condition a strong ruler--native if possible, if not, foreign--was by far the best hope for Ireland.

The Story Of Ireland |Emily Lawless
One thing is very certain, for I have it on very good—I may say, the best—authority.

An Englishman in Paris |Albert D. (Albert Dresden) Vandam

British Dictionary definitions for best (1 of 5)

best

/ (bɛst) /

adjective

the superlative of good

most excellent of a particular group, category, etc

most suitable, advantageous, desirable, attractive, etc

the best part of most of the best part of an hour

put one's best foot forward

to do one's utmost to make progress
to hurry

adverb

the superlative of well 1

in a manner surpassing all others; most excellently, advantageously, attractively, etc

(in combination) in or to the greatest degree or extent; most the best-loved hero

as best one can or as best one may as effectively as possible within one's limitations

had best would be wise, sensible, etc, to you had best go now

noun

the best the most outstanding or excellent person, thing, or group in a category

(often preceded by at) the most excellent, pleasing, or skilled quality or condition journalism at its best

the most effective effort of which a person or group is capable even their best was inadequate

a winning majority the best of three games

Also: all the best best wishes she sent him her best

a person's smartest outfit of clothing

at best

in the most favourable interpretation
under the most favourable conditions

for the best

for an ultimately good outcome
with good intentionshe meant it for the best

get the best of or have the best of to surpass, defeat, or outwit; better

give someone the best to concede someone's superiority

make the best of to cope as well as possible in the unfavourable circumstances of (often in the phrases make the best of a bad job, make the best of it)

six of the best informal six strokes with a cane on the buttocks or hand

verb

(tr) to gain the advantage over or defeat

Word Origin for best

Old English betst; related to Gothic batista, Old High German bezzist

British Dictionary definitions for best (2 of 5)

Best

/ (bɛst) /

noun

Charles Herbert . 1899–1978, Canadian physiologist: associated with Banting and Macleod in their discovery of insulin in 1922

George . 1946–2005, Northern Ireland footballer

British Dictionary definitions for best (3 of 5)

good

/ (ɡʊd) /

adjective better or best

having admirable, pleasing, superior, or positive qualities; not negative, bad or mediocre a good idea; a good teacher

morally excellent or admirable; virtuous; righteousa good man
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the good

suitable or efficient for a purpose a good secretary; a good winter coat

beneficial or advantageous vegetables are good for you

not ruined or decayed; sound or whole the meat is still good

kindly, generous, or approving you are good to him

right or acceptable your qualifications are good for the job

rich and fertile good land

valid or genuine I would not do this without good reason

honourable or held in high esteem a good family

commercially or financially secure, sound, or safe good securities; a good investment

(of a draft) drawn for a stated sum

(of debts) expected to be fully paid

clever, competent, or talented he's good at science

obedient or well-behaved a good dog

reliable, safe, or recommended a good make of clothes

affording material pleasure or indulgence the good things in life; the good life

having a well-proportioned, beautiful, or generally fine appearance a good figure; a good complexion

complete; full I took a good look round the house

propitious; opportune a good time to ask the manager for a rise

satisfying or gratifying a good rest

comfortable did you have a good night?

newest or of the best quality to keep the good plates for important guests

fairly large, extensive, or long a good distance away

sufficient; ample we have a good supply of food

US (of meat) of the third government grade, above standard and below choice

serious or intellectual good music

used in a traditional description the good ship ``America''

used in polite or patronizing phrases or to express anger (often intended ironically) how is your good lady?; look here, my good man!

a good one

an unbelievable assertion
a very funny joke

as good as virtually; practically it's as good as finished

as good as gold excellent; very good indeed

be as good as to or be so good as to would you please

come good to recover and perform well after a bad start or setback

good and informal (intensifier) good and mad

(intensifier; used in mild oaths) good grief!; good heavens!

interjection

an exclamation of approval, agreement, pleasure, etc

noun

moral or material advantage or use; benefit or profit for the good of our workers; what is the good of worrying?

positive moral qualities; goodness; virtue; righteousness; piety

(sometimes capital) moral qualities seen as a single abstract entity we must pursue the Good

a good thing

economics a commodity or service that satisfies a human need

for good or for good and all forever; permanently I have left them for good

make good

to recompense or repair damage or injury
to be successful
to demonstrate or prove the truth of (a statement or accusation)
to secure and retain (a position)
to effect or fulfil (something intended or promised)

good on you or good for you well done, well said, etc: a term of congratulation

get any good of or get some good of Irish

to handle to good effectI never got any good of this machine
to understand properlyI could never get any good of him
to receive cooperation from

Derived forms of good

goodish, adjective

Word Origin for good

Old English gōd; related to Old Norse gōthr, Old High German guot good

British Dictionary definitions for best (4 of 5)

well ¹

/ (wɛl) /

adverb better or best

(often used in combination) in a satisfactory manner the party went very well

(often used in combination) in a good, skilful, or pleasing manner she plays the violin well

in a correct or careful manner listen well to my words

in a comfortable or prosperous manner to live well

(usually used with auxiliaries) suitably; fittingly you can't very well say that

intimately I knew him well

in a kind or favourable manner she speaks well of you

to a great or considerable extent; fully to be well informed

by a considerable margin let me know well in advance

(preceded by could, might, or may) indeed you may well have to do it yourself

informal (intensifier) well safe

all very well used ironically to express discontent, dissent, etc

as well

in addition; too
(preceded by may or might) with equal effectyou might as well come
just as well preferable or advisableit would be just as well if you paid me now

as well as in addition to

just leave well alone or just leave well enough alone to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory

well and good used to indicate calm acceptance, as of a decision if you accept my offer, well and good

well up in well acquainted with (a particular subject); knowledgeable about

adjective (usually postpositive)

(when prenominal, usually used with a negative) in good health I'm very well, thank you; he's not a well man

satisfactory, agreeable, or pleasing

prudent; advisable it would be well to make no comment

prosperous or comfortable

fortunate or happy it is well that you agreed to go

interjection

an expression of surprise, indignation, or reproof
an expression of anticipation in waiting for an answer or remark

sentence connector

an expression used to preface a remark, gain time, etc well, I don't think I will come

Word Origin for well

Old English wel; related to Old High German wala, wola (German wohl), Old Norse val, Gothic waila

British Dictionary definitions for best (5 of 5)

well ²

/ (wɛl) /

noun

a hole or shaft that is excavated, drilled, bored, or cut into the earth so as to tap a supply of water, oil, gas, etc

a natural pool where ground water comes to the surface

a cavity, space, or vessel used to contain a liquid
(in combination)an inkwell

an open shaft through the floors of a building, such as one used for a staircase

a deep enclosed space in a building or between buildings that is open to the sky to permit light and air to enter

a bulkheaded compartment built around a ship's pumps for protection and ease of access
another word for cockpit

a perforated tank in the hold of a fishing boat for keeping caught fish alive

(in England) the open space in the centre of a law court

a source, esp one that provides a continuous supply he is a well of knowledge

verb

to flow or cause to flow upwards or outwards tears welled from her eyes

Word Origin for well

Old English wella; related to Old High German wella (German Welle wave), Old Norse vella boiling heat

Medical definitions for best

Best

[ bĕst ]

Charles Herbert 1899-1978

American-born Canadian physiologist noted for the discovery and successful clinical application of insulin.

Scientific definitions for best (1 of 2)

Best

[ bĕst ]

Charles Herbert 1899-1978

American-born Canadian physiologist who assisted Frederick Banting in the discovery of the hormone insulin. In acknowledgment of his work, Banting shared his portion of the 1923 Nobel Prize with Best. In addition to further refining the use of insulin, Best later discovered the vitamin choline and the enzyme histaminase, which breaks down histamine.

Scientific definitions for best (2 of 2)

well

[ wĕl ]

A deep hole or shaft sunk into the Earth to tap a liquid or gaseous substance such as water, oil, gas, or brine. If the substance is not under sufficient pressure to flow freely from the well, it must be pumped or raised mechanically to the surface. Water or pressurized gas is sometimes pumped into a nonproducing oil well to push petroleum resources out of underground reservoirs. See also artesian well.

Idioms and Phrases with best (1 of 3)

best

In addition to the idioms beginning with best

best bib and tucker
best of both worlds, the
best part of something
best shot

also see:

all for the best
all the best
as best one can
at best
at one's best
come off (second-best)
do one's best
get the better (best) of
give it one's best shot
had better (best)
make the best of it
on one's best behavior
put one's best foot forward
second best
Sunday best
in one's (best) interest
to the best of one's ability
with the best of them
with the best will in the world

Also see underbetter.

Idioms and Phrases with best (2 of 3)

good

In addition to the idioms beginning with good

good and
good around
good as, as
good as done, as
good as gold, as
good as one's word, as
good day
good deal, a
good egg, a
good evening
good faith
good for
good graces
good grief
good head on one's shoulders, have a
good life, the
good luck
good many, a
good mind
good morning
good nature
goodness gracious
goodness knows
good night
good off
good riddance
good Samaritan
good scout
good sort
good thing
good time
good turn
good word
good works
goody two-shoes

also see:

bad (good) sort
but good
do any good
do good
do one good
for good
for good measure
get on someone's good side
get out while the getting is good
give a good account of oneself
give as good as one gets
have a good command of
have a good mind to
have a good thing going
have a good time
hold good
ill wind (that blows nobody any good)
in all good conscience
in bad (good) faith
in (good) condition
in due course (all in good time)
in good
in good hands
in good part
in good spirits
in good time
in good with
in someone's good graces
keep (good) time
make good
make good time
make someone look good
miss is as good as a mile
never had it so good
no good
no news is good news
not the only fish (other good fish) in the sea
one good turn deserves another
on good terms
on one's best (good) behavior
put in a good word
put to good use
show someone a good time
show to (good) advantage
so far so good
stand in good stead
take in good part
throw good money after bad
to good purpose
too good to be true
too much of a good thing
to the good
turn to (good account)
up to no good
well and good
what's the good of
with good grace
world of good
your guess is as good as mine

Also see undergoodnessgoods.

Idioms and Phrases with best (3 of 3)

well

In addition to the idioms beginning with well

well and good
well off
well out of, be
well preserved

also see:

alive and kicking (well)
all's well that ends well
all very well
as well
as well as
augur well for
damn well
do well
full well
get well
hanged for a sheep, might as well be
leave well enough alone
only too (well)
sit well with
think a lot (well) of
to a fare-thee-well
very well
wear well

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

best

adjective, superl. of good with better as compar.

adverb, superl. of well with better as compar.

noun

verb (used with object)

Idioms for best

Origin of best

Words nearby best

Definition for best (2 of 5)

noun

Definition for best (3 of 5)

adjective, bet·ter, best.

noun

interjection

adverb

Origin of good

SYNONYMS FOR good

synonym study for good

usage note for good

OTHER WORDS FROM good

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH good

Definition for best (4 of 5)

adverb

adjective, comparative bet·ter, superlative best.

interjection

noun

Origin of well

SYNONYMS FOR well

ANTONYMS FOR well

grammar notes for well

usage note for well

Definition for best (5 of 5)

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

adjective

Origin of well

SYNONYMS FOR well

Words related to best

Example sentences from the Web for best

British Dictionary definitions for best (1 of 5)

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

Word Origin for best

British Dictionary definitions for best (2 of 5)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for best (3 of 5)

adjective better or best

interjection

noun

Derived forms of good

Word Origin for good

British Dictionary definitions for best (4 of 5)

adverb better or best

adjective (usually postpositive)

interjection

sentence connector

Word Origin for well

British Dictionary definitions for best (5 of 5)

noun

verb

Word Origin for well

Medical definitions for best

Scientific definitions for best (1 of 2)

Scientific definitions for best (2 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with best (1 of 3)

Idioms and Phrases with best (2 of 3)

Idioms and Phrases with best (3 of 3)