/ best; NAmE / adjective , adverb , noun , verb
■ adjective (superlative of good )
1.
of the most excellent type or quality :
That's the best movie I've ever seen!
She was one of the best tennis players of her generation.
Is that your best suit?
They've been best friends (= closest friends) since they were children.
the company's best-ever results
We want the kids to have the best possible education.
2.
most enjoyable; happiest :
Those were the best years of my life.
3.
most suitable or appropriate :
What's the best way to cook steak?
The best thing to do would be to apologize.
He's the best man for the job.
It's best if you go now.
I'm not in the best position to advise you.
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IDIOMS
Idioms containing best adj. are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example on your best behaviour is at behaviour .
■ adverb (superlative of well , often used in adjectives)
1.
most; to the greatest extent :
Which one do you like best?
Well-drained soil suits the plant best.
her best-known poem
2.
in the most excellent way; to the highest standard :
He works best in the mornings.
Britain's best-dressed woman
The beaches are beautiful, but, best of all , there are very few tourists.
3.
in the most suitable or appropriate way :
Painting is best done in daylight.
Do as you think best (= what you think is the most suitable thing to do) .
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IDIOMS
- as best you can
■ noun [ sing. ] (usually the best )
1.
the most excellent thing or person :
We all want the best for our children.
They only buy the best.
They're all good players, but she's the best of all.
We're the best of friends (= very close friends) .
2.
the highest standard that sb/sth can reach :
She always brings out the best in people.
The town looks its best (= is most attractive) in the spring.
Don't worry about the exam—just do your best .
The roses are past their best now.
I don't really feel at my best today.
3.
something that is as close as possible to what you need or want :
Fifty pounds is the best I can offer you.
The best we can hope for in the game is a draw.
4.
the highest standard that a particular person has reached, especially in a sport :
She won the race with a personal best of 2 minutes 22.
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IDIOMS
- all the best
- at best
- be (all) for the best
- the best of a bad bunch
- the best of three, five, etc.
- the best that money can buy
- do, mean, etc. sth for the best
- have / get the best of sth
- make the best of sth / it | make the best of things | make the best of a bad job
- to the best of your knowledge / belief
- with the best (of them)
—more at bunch noun , hope verb , luck noun , Sunday
■ verb
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] ( formal ) to defeat or be more successful than sb
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English betest (adjective), betost , betst (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German best , also to better .