Skip to main content
best

best

1.0
In the most successful way
  • adverb
  • /bɛst/
translation icon : mejor
  • They played their part the best they could during the performance.

Examples

  • He is really doing what he does best, which ironically is planning.

  • And I think we all try to the best of our ability.

  • That bro, that's that's the best, the best I could have got.

  • She always tries to do her best in every project.

  • He solved the problem in the best way possible.

Synonyms

well
vsbest
1.0

In a good or skillful way

is stronger indicating the single highest quality or ability
first-rate
vsbest
49 3.8

Very high quality or done very well

refers to performing in the single top manner rather than labelling quality
excellently
vsbest
8 2.8

In a very good way that shows a lot of skill

is stronger meaning the absolute highest degree
par excellence
vsbest
  • Formal
4 8.0

The best example of its kind

is the neutral common expression rather than a formal borrowed phrase
maximally
vsbest
3 6.2

As much as possible

refers to the highest quality or ability rather than mere quantity
superlatively
vsbest
1 7.0

To a very high degree, showing excellent quality

is a simpler way to say the top quality without extra emphasis

Antonyms

1.2

To the greatest degree in a bad way

Idioms

276 1.5

Among the top people or things in a group

123 3.5

Only in the best case is the result not very good

28 2.1

The most important or pleasing thing

17 3.4

A situation where you enjoy two different good things at the same time

To make as much effort as you can to reach a goal

To choose the most sensible action in a situation

level best
  • Informal
5 4.4

The most effort you can make

Make a very good impression when you meet someone or start something new

3 3.0

The person or thing that is better than all others in a group

Even when things are at their best, something is still difficult or unpleasant

1 1.7

Feeling very happy about something

An offer with the lowest price or best value in the area

Only top quality is acceptable

To do something as well as you can given the situation

Compounds

940 1.0

A person you trust most and talk to about everything

152 2.4

A man who stands next to the groom and helps him at the wedding

104 1.9

Most people know it

84 2.7

Very popular and bought by many people, like books or albums

best shot
  • Informal
72 3.2

A try using all your effort

60 2.1

A book or magazine that sells in very large numbers

35 3.7

The choice that is most likely to succeed

34 1.0

A warm message wishing someone happiness and success

best practice
  • Specialized
26 3.1

A proven way of doing something that gives the best results

22 1.3

A choice that is most suitable among other choices

22 2.4

A strong attempt someone makes to succeed at something

12 3.7

Next in quality or rank after the best

11 3.5

A person's best ever result in an activity or sport

best pal
  • Informal
9 1.0

A person who is your closest and most trusted friend

8 1.8

A person or team that finishes second in a competition

A place or thing only a few people know about that is especially good

7 4.1

Clothes you wear for church or special events

5 2.0

The quickest or easiest way to travel from one place to another

4 3.4

Liked more than other things of the same kind

best-laid plan
  • Informal
1 5.4

A careful plan that can still fail

1 9.0

A rule that requires showing the original document, photo, or recording in court to prove its content

best guy friend
  • Informal
3.2

A male friend you feel closest to without any romantic interest

Best Korea
  • Slang
9.5

A joking or sarcastic name people use for North Korea online

best lobang
  • Philippine
9.9

A very good chance to buy something at a low price when shopping

9.9

A strong old-fashioned way to say the best day

How Well

best
1.0
excellently
8 2.8
well
1.0
adequately
83 3.0
poorly
283 1.4

Surface Forms

best positive
better comparative
best superlative

Morphology

best = good (semi-transparent) = good + est

Semantically the superlative of 'good' and functionally corresponds to adding a superlative suffix, but the form is irregular/suppletive and not predictable from the form of 'good'.

Etymology

Best as an adverb comes from an old English idea of 'most good' and is the highest form of better, so when you do something best you do it in the most successful or excellent way.