best
best
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "best" is /bɛst/.
/bɛs/ - The first part of the syllable, "bes," represents the "b" sound followed by the short "e" vowel and the "s" sound.
/t/ - The second part of the syllable, "t," represents the "t" sound.
Word Form Variations
Adjective: best (superlative of good)
Adverb: best (superlative of well)
Noun: best (singular), bests (plural)
Verb: best (base form), bests (third-person singular simple present), besting (present participle), bested (simple past and past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Surpassing all others in quality, excellence, or desirability; of the highest standard.
Synonyms: finest, top, supreme, optimal, premier, paramount, unrivaled
Antonyms: worst, poorest, inferior, lowest, least
Definition 2: Most suitable, advantageous, or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation.
Synonyms: ideal, perfect, most fitting, optimal, preferable
Antonyms: worst, least suitable, inappropriate, disadvantageous
Adverb
Definition 1: In the most excellent or effective manner; to the highest degree.
Synonyms: optimally, perfectly, supremely, most effectively, to the utmost
Antonyms: worst, least, poorly, ineffectively
Definition 2: With the greatest advantage or success.
Synonyms: most successfully, most favorably, ideally
Antonyms: worst, least successfully, unfavorably
Noun
Definition 1: That which is of the highest quality, standard, or most excellent in a group or category.
Synonyms: prime, cream, elite, pinnacle, peak, top
Antonyms: worst, bottom, dregs, least
Definition 2: One's maximum effort, ability, or performance.
Synonyms: utmost, peak performance, finest effort, all one's might
Antonyms: worst, least effort, minimal performance
Verb
Definition 1: To defeat or get the better of someone or something in a competition or conflict.
Synonyms: overcome, defeat, vanquish, outdo, surpass, beat
Antonyms: lose to, be defeated by, surrender, yield
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) - This iconic opening line exemplifies "best" as the superlative adjective indicating the highest quality or most favorable state.
"You are the best kind of person there is." (Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games) - Here, "best" is used adjectivally to describe a person of the highest moral or personal quality.
Newspapers:
"Local Bakery Voted 'Chicago's Best Croissant' by Food Critics" (Chicago Tribune, recent article) - This demonstrates "best" as an adjective in a consumer-facing context, denoting a top-ranked product.
"The city council agreed that allocating funds to public education was the best course of action for long-term growth." (The New York Times, editorial) - "Best" is used here adjectivally to signify the most effective or advantageous option.
Online Publications:
"10 Best Budget Laptops for Students in 2024" (PCMag.com, article title) - A common use of "best" as an adjective in technology reviews to highlight top recommendations.
"Finding the best strategy for sustainable living requires collective effort." (National Geographic Online, article) - "Best" functions as an adjective indicating the most effective or optimal approach.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "You're the best friend I've ever had." (Dialogue, Toy Story) - "Best" is used as an adjective to express the highest degree of affection and quality in a friendship.
Music: "You Make My Dreams (Come True)" by Hall & Oates includes the lyric, "You're the best thing that ever happened to me." - "Best" is used adjectivally to describe the most positive event or person in one's life.
Television (Reality TV): "And the winner of 'America's Got Talent' is... the best act of the night!" (Host's announcement on America's Got Talent) - Here, "best" functions as an adjective referring to the top performer.
Video Games: "Achieve the best score to unlock bonus levels." (Super Mario Bros., in-game instruction) - "Best" is used adjectivally to denote the highest possible score.
Podcasts: "In this episode, we discuss the best practices for launching a new startup." (How I Built This, podcast episode description) - "Best" is used adjectivally to refer to optimal or most effective methods.
Social Media: "Just had the best coffee ever! #CoffeeLover" (User post on X/Twitter) - "Best" is used informally as an adjective to express an extreme positive opinion.
General Public Discourse:
"I'm doing my best to finish this project on time." (Everyday conversation) - Here, "best" is used as a noun, referring to one's maximum effort.
"We need to put our best foot forward to impress the clients." (Business meeting) - "Best" acts as an adjective, indicating the most favorable or impressive effort.
"She always gives her best during every performance." (Informal discussion about an athlete or performer) - "Best" is used as a noun, referring to her peak performance.
"May the best team win!" (Cheer at a sports event) - "Best" is used here as an adjective, referring to the superior team.
"Let's hope for the best." (Common idiom expressing optimism) - "Best" is used as a noun, referring to the most favorable outcome.
10 Famous Quotes Using Best
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." (Peter Drucker)
"Do your best, and God will do the rest." (Attributed to St. Augustine, though exact phrasing varies)
"The best revenge is massive success." (Frank Sinatra)
"A good plan violently executed now is best rather than a perfect plan next week." (George S. Patton)
"You are the best kind of person there is." (Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games)
"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." (Common idiom, often attributed to various sources like Benjamin Disraeli or an old English proverb)
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." (Helen Keller)
"Home is the starting place of love, hope and dreams. The best memories are made there." (Unknown)
"If you want to make enemies, try to change something. If you want to make friends, accept things as they are. If you want to be the best, challenge everything." (Unknown, often attributed to various business leaders)
Etymology
The word "best" has a fascinating history that goes back a very long way in the English language, even before what we now call "Old English."
Think of "best" as the "top dog" or the ultimate version of "good" or "well." It didn't start out as a separate word from "good." Instead, it developed as the superlative form of an older Germanic root word that meant something like "advantage" or "reparation." This root is also where we get the word "better" from.
So, originally, the ancient ancestors of "good" and "well" had their own way of saying "better" and "best." Over time, the forms "better" and "best" (from that older root) became so commonly used that they effectively "took over" the job of being the comparative and superlative of "good" and "well." This is a common linguistic phenomenon called "suppletion," where different word roots are used for different forms of a word (like "go, went, gone" in English).
The first known use of "best" as an adjective (meaning "of the highest quality or standing") and an adverb (meaning "in the most excellent manner") dates back to the Old English period, which is before the year 1150. So, people were using "best" in a way we'd recognize today many, many centuries ago!
The verb form of "best" (meaning "to defeat or outdo") is much newer, only appearing around the 1830s.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Best
All the best
At best
Best of both worlds
Best of breed
Best of luck
Best-case scenario
Best foot forward
For the best
Get the best of (someone/something)
Give it your best shot
Have the best of times
Hope for the best
In your best interest
Make the best of (a situation)
My best wishes
The best man for the job
The best laid plans
To the best of my knowledge
With the best intentions
You know best
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of best from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
