best Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the supreme effort one can make
   
   • they did their best
2. noun the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others
   topper.
   
   • he could beat the best of them
3. noun Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)
   C. H. Best; Charles Herbert Best.
   
4. verb get the better of
   scoop; outdo; outflank; trump.
   
   • the goal was to best the competition
5. adjective (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
6. adjective satellite (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable
   better.
   
   • it would be better to speak to him
   • the White House thought it best not to respond
7. adjective having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
   good.
   
   • good news from the hospital
   • a good report card
   • when she was good she was very very good
   • a good knife is one good for cutting
   • this stump will make a good picnic table
   • a good check
   • a good joke
   • a good exterior paint
   • a good secretary
   • a good dress for the office
8. adjective satellite having the normally expected amount
   good; full.
   
   • gives full measure
   • gives good measure
   • a good mile from here
9. adjective morally admirable
   good.
   
10. adjective satellite deserving of esteem and respect
    honorable; good; estimable; respectable.
    
    • all respectable companies give guarantees
    • ruined the family's good name
11. adjective satellite promoting or enhancing well-being
    beneficial; good.
    
    • an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
    • the beneficial effects of a temperate climate
    • the experience was good for her
12. adjective satellite agreeable or pleasing
    good.
    
    • we all had a good time
    • good manners
13. adjective satellite of moral excellence
    upright; good; just.
    
    • a genuinely good person
    • a just cause
    • an upright and respectable man
14. adjective satellite having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
    good; practiced; expert; skillful; proficient; adept; skilful.
    
    • adept in handicrafts
    • an adept juggler
    • an expert job
    • a good mechanic
    • a practiced marksman
    • a proficient engineer
    • a lesser-known but no less skillful composer
    • the effect was achieved by skillful retouching
15. adjective satellite thorough
    good.
    
    • had a good workout
    • gave the house a good cleaning
16. adjective satellite with or in a close or intimate relationship
    dear; near; good.
    
    • a good friend
    • my sisters and brothers are near and dear
17. adjective satellite financially sound
    safe; good; dependable; secure.
    
    • a good investment
    • a secure investment
18. adjective satellite most suitable or right for a particular purpose
    good; right; ripe.
    
    • a good time to plant tomatoes
    • the right time to act
    • the time is ripe for great sociological changes
19. adjective satellite resulting favorably
    good; well.
    
    • it's a good thing that I wasn't there
    • it is good that you stayed
    • it is well that no one saw you
    • all's well that ends well
20. adjective satellite exerting force or influence
    in force; in effect; good; effective.
    
    • the law is effective immediately
    • a warranty good for two years
    • the law is already in effect (or in force)
21. adjective satellite capable of pleasing
    good.
    
    • good looks
22. adjective satellite appealing to the mind
    serious; good.
    
    • good music
    • a serious book
23. adjective satellite in excellent physical condition
    sound; good.
    
    • good teeth
    • I still have one good leg
    • a sound mind in a sound body
24. adjective satellite tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
    salutary; good.
    
    • beneficial effects of a balanced diet
    • a good night's sleep
    • the salutary influence of pure air
25. adjective satellite not forged
    good; honest.
    
    • a good dollar bill
26. adjective satellite not left to spoil
    unspoilt; unspoiled; good; undecomposed.
    
    • the meat is still good
27. adjective satellite generally admired
    good.
    
    • good taste
28. adverb in a most excellent way or manner
    
    • he played best after a couple of martinis
29. adverb it would be sensible
    
    • you'd best stay at home
30. adverb from a position of superiority or authority
    better.
    
    • father knows best
    • I know better.
31. adverb (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')
    good; well.
    
    • the children behaved well
    • a task well done
    • the party went well
    • he slept well
    • a well-argued thesis
    • a well-seasoned dish
    • a well-planned party
    • the baby can walk pretty good
32. adverb thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form
    well.
    
    • The problem is well understood
    • she was well informed
    • shake well before using
    • in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked
    • well-done beef", "well-satisfied customers
    • well-educated
33. adverb indicating high probability; in all likelihood
    easily; well.
    
    • I might well do it
    • a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
    • you may well need your umbrella
    • he could equally well be trying to deceive us
34. adverb (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully
    well.
    
    • a book well worth reading
    • was well aware of the difficulties ahead
    • suspected only too well what might be going on
35. adverb to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree
    well.
    
    • the project was well underway
    • the fetus has well developed organs
    • his father was well pleased with his grades
36. adverb favorably; with approval
    well.
    
    • their neighbors spoke well of them
    • he thought well of the book
37. adverb to a great extent or degree
    substantially; considerably; well.
    
    • I'm afraid the film was well over budget
    • painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger
    • the house has fallen considerably in value
    • the price went up substantially
38. adverb with great or especially intimate knowledge
    intimately; well.
    
    • we knew them well
39. adverb with prudence or propriety
    well.
    
    • You would do well to say nothing more
    • could not well refuse
40. adverb with skill or in a pleasing manner
    well.
    
    • she dances well
    • he writes well
41. adverb in a manner affording benefit or advantage
    advantageously; well.
    
    • she married well
    • The children were settled advantageously in Seattle
42. adverb in financial comfort
    comfortably; well.
    
    • They live well
    • she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died
43. adverb without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor
    well.
    
    • took the joke well
    • took the tragic news well

WordNet