BEST

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Best mean? 

• BEST (noun)
  The noun BEST has 3 senses:

1. the supreme effort one can make

2. the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others

3. Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)

  Familiarity information: BEST used as a noun is uncommon.

• BEST (adjective)
  The adjective BEST has 2 senses:

1. (superlative of 'good') having the most positive qualities

2. (comparative and superlative of 'well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable

  Familiarity information: BEST used as an adjective is rare.

• BEST (verb)
  The verb BEST has 1 sense:

1. get the better of

  Familiarity information: BEST used as a verb is very rare.

• BEST (adverb)
  The adverb BEST has 3 senses:

1. in a most excellent way or manner

2. it would be sensible

3. from a position of superiority or authority

  Familiarity information: BEST used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BEST (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The supreme effort one can make

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

they did their best

Hypernyms ("best" is a kind of...):

attempt; effort; endeavor; endeavour; try (earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something)

Antonym:

worst (the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of)

Derivation:

best ((superlative of 'good') having the most positive qualities)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

best; topper

Context example:

he could beat the best of them

Hypernyms ("best" is a kind of...):

individual; mortal; person; somebody; someone; soul (a human being)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Best; C. H. Best; Charles Herbert Best

Instance hypernyms:

physiologist (a biologist specializing in physiology)

• BEST (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(superlative of 'good') having the most positive qualities

Context example:

wore his best suit

Similar:

go-to-meeting; Sunday-go-to-meeting (used of clothing)

unsurpassable (not to be exceeded)

unexceeded; unexcelled; unsurpassed (not capable of being improved on)

superfine ((used especially of merchandise) very fine in quality)

second-best (next to the best)

record-breaking (surpassing any previously established record)

primo (the best of its kind)

optimal; optimum (most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied)

first; foremost; world-class (ranking above all others)

high-grade; top-grade; top-quality (surpassing in quality)

champion; prizewinning (holding first place in a contest)

Also:

incomparable; uncomparable (such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared)

good (having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified)

superior (of high or superior quality or performance)

top (situated at the top or highest position)

Domain usage:

superlative (an exaggerated expression (usually of praise))

Antonym:

worst ((superlative of 'bad') most wanting in quality or value or condition)

Derivation:

best (the supreme effort one can make)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(comparative and superlative of 'well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable

Synonyms:

best; better

Context example:

the White House thought it best not to respond

Similar:

advisable (worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise)

Domain usage:

comparative; comparative degree (the comparative form of an adjective or adverb)

• BEST (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they best    ... he / she / it bests   
Past simple: bested   
Past participle: bested   
-ing form: besting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Get the better of

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

best; outdo; outflank; scoop; trump

Context example:

the goal was to best the competition

Hypernyms (to "best" is one way to...):

beat; beat out; crush; shell; trounce; vanquish (come out better in a competition, race, or conflict)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "best"):

outmaneuver; outmanoeuvre; outsmart (defeat by more skillful maneuvering)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to best his opponent

• BEST (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a most excellent way or manner

Context example:

he played best after a couple of martinis

Sense 2

Meaning:

It would be sensible

Context example:

you'd best stay at home

Sense 3

Meaning:

From a position of superiority or authority

Synonyms:

best; better

Context example:

I know better.

 Context examples 

I had thought, and I still think, that the best thing for you would be to study shorthand—you already know type-writing—and go into father's office.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

This prince took a pleasure in conversing with me, inquiring into the manners, religion, laws, government, and learning of Europe; wherein I gave him the best account I was able.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Mr. Grant Munro pushed impatiently forward, however, and we stumbled after him as best we could.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But he was a good workman—one of the best.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

By the time this month is over, you will be declaring that February was one of the best you’ve seen in a very long while.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

"But, after all, brains are not the best things in the world."

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

While he was thinking what to do, he saw the fairy had taken down one of the cages, and was making the best of her way off through the door.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

But Wolf Larsen cried out to him: Cooky, you’ve got to hustle to-night. I’m busy with Hump, and you’ll do the best you can without him.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

All is best as they are.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Also does he like bones. Bones are not good to eat. And this strange white man likes best the bones of long time ago which he digs out of the ground.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)