Library / English Dictionary

BEST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The supreme effort one can make

Example:

they did their best

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

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

Example:

he could beat the best of them

Synonyms:

best; topper

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

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)

Synonyms:

Best; C. H. Best; Charles Herbert Best

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Instance hypernyms:

physiologist (a biologist specializing in physiology)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Example:

the White House thought it best not to respond

Synonyms:

best; better

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

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

Domain usage:

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

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Example:

wore his best suit

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

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)

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

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)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Get the better of

Example:

the goal was to best the competition

Synonyms:

best; outdo; outflank; scoop; trump

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

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

 IV. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

It would be sensible

Example:

you'd best stay at home

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a most excellent way or manner

Example:

he played best after a couple of martinis

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 3

Meaning:

From a position of superiority or authority

Example:

I know better.

Synonyms:

best; better

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

 Context examples: 

“Sir,” he said to the Skookum Bench king, “no, sir. You can go to hell, sir. It’s the best I can do for you, sir.”

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land ever since.

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

I think that you had best leave his examination to me.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Why, then,” said the lawyer, good-naturedly, “the best thing we can do is to stay down here and speak with you from where we are.”

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Who's the best shot?” asked the captain.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“It would, perchance, be best that the novices be not admitted,” suggested the master.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This slight upon my best Sunday suit brought a flush to my mother’s cheeks, which my uncle instantly observed, for he was quick in noticing trifles.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Why am I here to relate the destruction of the best hope and the purest creature on earth?

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Physical exercise is probably the best brain drug we have.

(Exercise May Help Seniors with Word, Memory Problems, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Infants who received transplants within the first 3.5 months of life had the best outcomes.

(Early treatment benefits infants with severe combined immunodeficiency, NIH)