Best Definition
- realest
- truest
- brightest
- fairest
- fittest
- bonniest
- nicest
- ablest
- kindliest
- pleasantest
- biggest
- greatest
- largest
- tidiest
- healthiest
To surpass in skill or achievement.
To beat in a contest;
A surname.
- Interpreted most favorably; at the most:
no more than 40 people at best in attendance.
- Under the most favorable conditions:
has a top speed of 20 miles per hour at best.
- With an ultimately positive or preferable result.
- To outdo or outwit; defeat:
My opponent got the best of me in the debate.
- To accept (a bad situation) in as good a light as possible.
- turning out to be good or fortunate after all
IdiomsPhrasal Verbs Related to Best
- at best
- for the best
- get
- make the best of
- all for the best
- as best one can
- at best
- at one's best
- get the best of
- had best
- make the best of
- with the best
Origin of Best
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From Middle English bestefrom Old English betstbetest (“best”)from Proto-Germanic *batistaz (“best”)from Proto-Indo-European *bhAd- (“good”). Cognate with Scots best (“best”)West Frisian best (“best”)Dutch best (“best”)Low German best (“best”)German beste (“best”)Danish bedst (“best”)Swedish bäst (“best”)Icelandic bestur (“best”). More at better.
From Wiktionary
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From German Beste (“a river in Germany”) or from Anglo-Norman beste (“beast”).
From Wiktionary
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Middle English from Old English betst bhad- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language5th Edition
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