English Dictionary

Definition of “best”

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best (bɛstPronunciation for best) 

Definitions

adjective

  1. the superlative of good
  2. most excellent of a particular group, category, etc
  3. most suitable, advantageous, desirable, attractive, etc
  4. See the best part of
  5. See put one's best foot forward

adverb

  1. the superlative of well1
  2. in a manner surpassing all others; most excellently, advantageously, attractively, etc
  3. (in combination) in or to the greatest degree or extent; most  ⇒ the best-loved hero 
  4. See as best one can
  5. See had best

noun

  1. See the best
  2. (often preceded by at) the most excellent, pleasing, or skilled quality or condition  ⇒ journalism at its best 
  3. the most effective effort of which a person or group is capable  ⇒ even their best was inadequate 
  4. a winning majority  ⇒ the best of three games 
  5. all the bestbest wishes  ⇒ she sent him her best 
  6. a person's smartest outfit of clothing
  7. See at best
  8. See for the best
  9. See get the best of
  10. See give someone the best
  11. See make the best of
  12. See six of the best

verb

  1. (tr) to gain the advantage over or defeat

Word Origin

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

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= finest, leading, top, chief, supreme, principal, first, foremost, superlative, pre-eminent, unsurpassed, most accomplished most skilful most excellent golden, outstanding,
= most fitting right, most desirable most apt most advantageous most correct perfect,
= utmost, most, greatest, hardest, highest endeavour
= most sensible thing wisest thing most desirable thing most advisable thing most prudent thing
= most highly most, most fully to the highest degree most deeply
= most advantageously most fittingly most usefully most profitably most beneficially
= greatest, most, largest,
= defeat, beat, stuff, master, tank, conquer, thrash, lick, undo, surpass, triumph over outdo, get the better of, trounce, outclass, run rings around, wipe the floor with blow out of the water put in the shade,

Best (bɛstPronunciation for Best) 

Definitions

noun

  1. Charles Herbert. 1899–1978, Canadian physiologist: associated with Banting and Macleod in their discovery of insulin in 1922
  2. George. 1946–2005, Northern Ireland footballer

good (ɡʊdPronunciation for good) 

Definitions

adjective

Word forms: better, best
  1. having admirable, pleasing, superior, or positive qualities; not negative, bad or mediocre  ⇒ a good idea a good teacher 
    1. morally excellent or admirable; virtuous; righteous  ⇒ a good man 
    2. ((as collective noun;  preceded by ( preceded by the)  ⇒ the good 
  3. suitable or efficient for a purpose  ⇒ a good secretary a good winter coat 
  4. beneficial or advantageous  ⇒ vegetables are good for you 
  5. not ruined or decayed; sound or whole  ⇒ the meat is still good 
  6. kindly, generous, or approving  ⇒ you are good to him 
  7. right or acceptable  ⇒ your qualifications are good for the job 
  8. rich and fertile  ⇒ good land 
  9. valid or genuine  ⇒ I would not do this without good reason 
  10. honourable or held in high esteem  ⇒ a good family 
  11. commercially or financially secure, sound, or safe  ⇒ good securities a good investment 
  12. (of a draft) drawn for a stated sum
  13. (of debts) expected to be fully paid
  14. clever, competent, or talented  ⇒ he's good at science 
  15. obedient or well-behaved  ⇒ a good dog 
  16. reliable, safe, or recommended  ⇒ a good make of clothes 
  17. affording material pleasure or indulgence  ⇒ the good things in life the good life 
  18. having a well-proportioned, beautiful, or generally fine appearance  ⇒ a good figure a good complexion 
  19. complete; full  ⇒ I took a good look round the house 
  20. propitious; opportune  ⇒ a good time to ask the manager for a rise 
  21. satisfying or gratifying  ⇒ a good rest 
  22. comfortable  ⇒ did you have a good night? 
  23. newest or of the best quality  ⇒ to keep the good plates for important guests 
  24. fairly large, extensive, or long  ⇒ a good distance away 
  25. sufficient; ample  ⇒ we have a good supply of food 
  26. US (of meat) of the third government grade, above (of meat) of the third government grade, above standard  and below (of meat) of the third government grade, above and below choice
  27. serious or intellectual  ⇒ good music 
  28. used in a traditional description  ⇒ the good ship ``America'' 
  29. used in polite or patronizing phrases or to express anger (often intended ironically)  ⇒ how is your good lady? look here, my good man! 
  30. See a good one
  31. See as good as
  32. See as good as gold
  33. See be as good as to
  34. See come good
  35. See good and
  36. (intensifier; used in mild oaths)  ⇒ good grief! good heavens! 

exclamation

  1. an exclamation of approval, agreement, pleasure, etc

noun

  1. moral or material advantage or use; benefit or profit  ⇒ for the good of our workers what is the good of worrying? 
  2. positive moral qualities; goodness; virtue; righteousness; piety
  3. (sometimes capital) moral qualities seen as a single abstract entity  ⇒ we must pursue the Good 
  4. a good thing
  5. economics a commodity or service that satisfies a human need
  6. See for good
  7. See make good
  8. See good on you
  9. See get any good of

See also

goods

Alternative Forms

ˈgoodish adjective

Word Origin

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

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= excellent, great, fine, pleasing, capital, choice, crucial, acceptable, pleasant, worthy, first-class, divine, splendid, satisfactory, superb, enjoyable, awesome, dope, world-class, admirable, agreeable, super, pleasurable, wicked, bad, first-rate, tiptop, bitchin', booshit, exo, sik, rad, phat, schmick, beaut, barrie, belting, pearler,
= fine, excellent, superior, first-class, first-rate, choice,
= proficient, able, skilled, capable, expert, talented, efficient, clever, accomplished, reliable, first-class, satisfactory, competent, thorough, tasty, adept, first-rate, adroit, dexterous,
= positive, beneficial, favourable, advantageous, auspicious, propitious,
= sensible, useful, wise, valuable, suitable, worthwhile, constructive, shrewd, prudent, sound, commendable, judicious, well-thought-out, well-reasoned,
= desirable, pleasing, positive, productive, satisfying, beneficial, constructive, gratifying, advantageous,
= clear, correct, accurate, exact, precise, definite,
= profitable, fair, reasonable, adequate, lucrative,
= beneficial, useful, healthy, helpful, favourable, wholesome, advantageous, salutary, salubrious,
= honourable, moral, worthy, ethical, upright, admirable, honest, righteous, exemplary, right, virtuous, trustworthy, altruistic, praiseworthy, estimable,
= well-behaved, seemly, mannerly, proper, polite, orderly, obedient, dutiful, decorous, well-mannered,
= kind, kindly, friendly, obliging, charitable, humane, gracious, benevolent, merciful, beneficent, well-disposed, kind-hearted,
= cheerful, happy, pleasant, agreeable, congenial, convivial,
= true, real, genuine, proper, reliable, dependable, sound, trustworthy, dinkum,
= full, long, whole, complete, entire, solid, extensive,
= considerable, large, substantial, sufficient, adequate, ample,
= valid, convincing, compelling, legitimate, authentic, persuasive, sound, bona fide,
= best, newest, special, finest, nicest, smartest, fancy, most valuable most precious
= sunny, clear, fair, bright, calm, mild, clement, halcyon, balmy, cloudless, sunshiny,
= edible, untainted, uncorrupted, eatable, fit to eat,
= convenient, timely, fitting, fit, appropriate, suitable, well-timed, opportune,
= benefit, interest, gain, advantage, use, service, profit, welfare, behalf, avail, usefulness, wellbeing,
= virtue, goodness, righteousness, worth, merit, excellence, morality, probity, rectitude, uprightness,

guid (ɡyd;ɡɪdPronunciation for guid) 

Definitions

adjective

  1. a Scot word for good

1well1 (wɛlPronunciation for well1) 

Definitions

adverb

Word forms: better, best
  1. (often used in combination) in a satisfactory manner  ⇒ the party went very well 
  2. (often used in combination) in a good, skilful, or pleasing manner  ⇒ she plays the violin well 
  3. in a correct or careful manner  ⇒ listen well to my words 
  4. in a comfortable or prosperous manner  ⇒ to live well 
  5. (usually used with auxiliaries) suitably; fittingly  ⇒ you can't very well say that 
  6. intimately  ⇒ I knew him well 
  7. in a kind or favourable manner  ⇒ she speaks well of you 
  8. to a great or considerable extent; fully  ⇒ to be well informed 
  9. by a considerable margin  ⇒ let me know well in advance 
  10.  preceded by could, might, or may indeed  ⇒ you may well have to do it yourself 
  11. informal (intensifier)  ⇒ well safe 
  12. See all very well
  13. See as well
  14. See as well as
  15. See just leave well alone
  16. See well and good
  17. See well up in

adjective (usually postpositive)

  1. (when prenominal, usually used with a negative) in good health  ⇒ I'm very well, thank you he's not a well man 
  2. satisfactory, agreeable, or pleasing
  3. prudent; advisable  ⇒ it would be well to make no comment 
  4. prosperous or comfortable
  5. fortunate or happy  ⇒ it is well that you agreed to go 

exclamation

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

sentence connector

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

Word Origin

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

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= skilfully, expertly, adeptly, with skill professionally, correctly, properly, effectively, efficiently, adequately, admirably, ably, conscientiously, proficiently,
= satisfactorily, nicely, smoothly, successfully, capitally, pleasantly, happily, famously, splendidly, agreeably, like nobody's business, in a satisfactory manner
= thoroughly, completely, fully, carefully, effectively, efficiently, rigorously,
= intimately, closely, completely, deeply, fully, personally, profoundly,
= carefully, closely, minutely, fully, comprehensively, accurately, in detail, in depth, extensively, meticulously, painstakingly, rigorously, scrupulously, assiduously, intensively, from top to bottom, methodically, attentively, conscientiously, exhaustively,
= favourably, highly, kindly, warmly, enthusiastically, graciously, approvingly, admiringly, with admiration appreciatively, with praise glowingly, with approbation
= considerably, easily, very much, significantly, substantially, markedly,
= fully, highly, greatly, completely, amply, very much, thoroughly, considerably, sufficiently, substantially, heartily, abundantly,
= possibly, probably, certainly, reasonably, conceivably, justifiably,
= decently, right, kindly, fittingly, fairly, easily, correctly, properly, readily, politely, suitably, generously, justly, in all fairness, genially, civilly, hospitably,
= prosperously, comfortably, splendidly, in comfort in (the lap of) luxury flourishingly without hardship
= harmoniously, nicely, pleasantly, happily, politely, famously, amicably, amiably, agreeably, peaceably, genially, like a house on fire,
= healthy, strong, sound, fit, blooming, robust, hale, hearty, in good health alive and kicking, fighting fit, in fine fettle, up to par fit as a fiddle, able-bodied, in good condition
= satisfactory, good, right, fine, happy, fitting, pleasing, bright, useful, lucky, proper, thriving, flourishing, profitable, fortunate,
= advisable, useful, proper, prudent, agreeable,

Quotations

  • "Mostly, we are good when it makes sense. A good society is one that makes sense of being good" Ian McEwan
  • "Being good is just a matter of temperament in the end" Iris Murdoch
  • "No one can be good for long if goodness is not in demand" Bertolt Brecht
  • "`For your own good' is a persuasive argument that will eventually make a man agree to his own destruction" Janet Frame
  • "No people do so much harm as those who go about doing good" Bishop Mandell Creighton
  • "Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame" Alexander Pope

Translations

  • British English: best Pronunciation for best If you say that something is best, you mean that it is better than all the others.You are my best friend.bɛst ADJECTIVE You are my best friend.
  • Spanish: mejor Pronunciation for mejor adj
  • French: meilleur Pronunciation for meilleur adj
  • German: bester Pronunciation for bester adj beste , bestes
  • Chinese: 最好的Pronunciation for 最好的 adj
  • Arabic: أَفْضَلPronunciation for أَفْضَل adj
  • Portuguese: melhorPronunciation for melhor adj
  • Russian: наилучшийPronunciation for наилучший adj наилучшая
  • Croatian: najboljiPronunciation for najbolji adj najbolja
  • Czech: nejlepšíPronunciation for nejlepší adj
  • Danish: bedstPronunciation for bedst adj
  • Dutch: bestPronunciation for best adj
  • Finnish: parasPronunciation for paras adj
  • Greek: βέλτιστοςPronunciation for βέλτιστος adj βέλτιστη
  • Italian: migliorePronunciation for migliore adj
  • Japanese: 最もよいPronunciation for 最もよい no_posp
  • Korean: 최고의Pronunciation for 최고의 adj
  • Norwegian: bestPronunciation for best adj
  • Polish: najlepszyPronunciation for najlepszy adj najlepsza
  • Brazilian Portuguese: melhorPronunciation for melhor adj
  • European Spanish: mejor Pronunciation for mejor adj
  • Swedish: bästPronunciation for bäst adj
  • Thai: ดีที่สุดPronunciation for ดีที่สุด adj
  • Turkish: en iyiPronunciation for en iyi adj
  • Vietnamese: tốt nhấtPronunciation for tốt nhất adj
  • British English: best Pronunciation for best You use best to say that something is better than all the others.The thing I liked best was the music.bɛst ADVERB The thing I liked best was the music.
  • Spanish: mejor Pronunciation for mejor adv
  • French: mieux Pronunciation for mieux adv
  • German: am besten Pronunciation for am besten adv
  • Chinese: 最好地Pronunciation for 最好地 adv
  • Arabic: أَفْضَلPronunciation for أَفْضَل adv
  • Portuguese: da melhor maneiraPronunciation for da melhor maneira adv
  • Russian: лучше всегоPronunciation for лучше всего adv
  • Croatian: najboljePronunciation for najbolje adv
  • Czech: nejlépePronunciation for nejlépe adv
  • Danish: bedstPronunciation for bedst adv
  • Dutch: het bestePronunciation for het beste adv
  • Finnish: parhaitenPronunciation for parhaiten adv
  • Greek: καλύτεραPronunciation for καλύτερα adv
  • Italian: meglioPronunciation for meglio adv
  • Japanese: 最もよくPronunciation for 最もよく adv
  • Korean: 최고로Pronunciation for 최고로 adv
  • Norwegian: bestPronunciation for best adv
  • Polish: najlepiejPronunciation for najlepiej adv
  • Brazilian Portuguese: maisPronunciation for mais adv
  • European Spanish: mejor Pronunciation for mejor adv
  • Swedish: bästPronunciation for bäst adv
  • Thai: เหมาะสมที่สุดPronunciation for เหมาะสมที่สุด adv
  • Turkish: en iyisiPronunciation for en iyisi adv
  • Vietnamese: tốt nhấtPronunciation for tốt nhất adv

Usage examples

  • She would intrude with the best of intentions, swamping the friend with rescue efforts, throwing lifebelts like hoopla rings.
    Jon Cleary, YESTERDAY'S SHADOW (2002)
  • These days there is access to much of even the best waters, depending on the area.
    Country Life (2004)
  • It was wrong for the planners to say" what's done is done, let's make the best of it".
    Irish Times (2002)
  • This however may take several years and affected plants are best discarded.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • He had been a famous orator, Secretary of State, and three-times candidate for the presidency, but his best days were over.
    Jim Leavesley, George Biro, THE MEDICAL MYSTERIES E-OMNIBUS (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'B'

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