English adjective: best | |||
1. | best (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities | ||
Samples | The best film of the year. The best solution. The best time for planting. Wore his best suit. | ||
Similar | champion, first, foremost, go-to-meeting, high-grade, optimal, optimum, primo, prizewinning, record-breaking, second-best, Sunday-go-to-meeting, superfine, top-grade, top-quality, unexceeded, unexcelled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, world-class | ||
See also | good, incomparable, superior, top, uncomparable | ||
Domain usage | superlative | ||
Antonyms | worst | ||
2. | best (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable | ||
Samples | It would be better to speak to him. The White House thought it best not to respond. | ||
Synonyms | better | ||
Similar | advisable | ||
Domain usage | comparative, comparative degree | ||
Antonyms | inadvisable, unadvisable | ||
English noun: best | |||
1. | best (act) the supreme effort one can make | ||
Samples | They did their best. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try | ||
Antonyms | worst | ||
2. | best (person) the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others | ||
Samples | He could beat the best of them. | ||
Synonyms | topper | ||
Broader (hypernym) | individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul | ||
3. | Best (person) Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978) | ||
Synonyms | C. H. Best, Charles Herbert Best | ||
Instance hypernym | physiologist | ||
English adverb: best | |||
1. | best in a most excellent way or manner | ||
Samples | He played best after a couple of martinis. | ||
2. | best it would be sensible | ||
Samples | You'd best stay at home. | ||
3. | best from a position of superiority or authority | ||
Samples | Father knows best. I know better.. | ||
Synonyms | better | ||
English verb: best | |||
1. | best (competition) get the better of | ||
Samples | The goal was to best the competition. | ||
Examples | The fighter managed to best his opponent | ||
Synonyms | outdo, outflank, scoop, trump | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | beat, beat out, crush, shell, trounce, vanquish | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | outmaneuver, outmanoeuvre, outsmart | ||