What's the best thing to do when I get a cold sore?
It's not the best place to live if you wish to develop your knowledge and love ofmountains.
2.
Best is the superlative of good.
He was best known as a writer on mystical subjects.
3. singular noun
The best is used to refer to things of the highest quality or standard.
We offer only the best to our clients.
He'll have the best of care.
4. singular noun [oft poss NOUN]
Someone's best is the greatest effort or highest achievement or standard that they are capable of.
Miss Blockey was at her best when she played the piano.
One needs to be a first-class driver to get the best out of that sort of machinery.
5. singular noun
If you say that something is the best that can be done or hoped for, you think it is the most pleasant, successful, or useful thing that can be done or hoped for.
A draw seems the best they can hope for.
The best we can do is try to stay cool and muddle through.
Synonyms: most sensible thing, wisest thing, most desirable thing, most advisable thing More Synonyms of best
6. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you like something best or like it the best, you prefer it.
The thing I liked best about the show was the music.
Mother liked it best when Daniel got money.
What was the role you loved the best?
Synonyms: most highly, most, most fully, to the highest degree More Synonyms of best
7.
Best is used to form the superlative of compound adjectives beginning with 'good' and 'well'. For example, the superlative of 'well-known' is 'best-known'.
8. See also second best, Sunday best
9.
See all the best
10.
See best of all
11.
See as best one can
12.
See at best
13.
See to do one's best
14.
See for the best
15.
See the best of friends
16.
See had best
17.
See to know best
18.
See to look one's best
19.
See to make the best of sth
20. to the best of your ability
21. the best of the bunch
22. to hope for the best
23. to the best of your knowledge
24. best of luck
25. the best part
26. at the best of times
27. the best of both worlds
More Synonyms of best
best in British English
(bɛst)
adjective
1. the superlative of good
2.
most excellent of a particular group, category, etc
3.
most suitable, advantageous, desirable, attractive, etc
4. the best part of
5. put one's best foot forward
adverb
6. the superlative of well1
7.
in a manner surpassing all others; most excellently, advantageously, attractively, etc
8. (in combination)
in or to the greatest degree or extent; most
the best-loved hero
9. as best one can
10. had best
noun
11. the best
12. (often preceded by at)
the most excellent, pleasing, or skilled quality or condition
journalism at its best
13.
the most effective effort of which a person or group is capable
even their best was inadequate
14.
a winning majority
the best of three games
15. Also: all the best
best wishes
she sent him her best
16.
a person's smartest outfit of clothing
17. at best
18. for the best
19. get the best of
20. give someone the best
21. make the best of
22. six of the best
verb
23. (transitive)
to gain the advantage over or defeat
Word origin
Old English betst; related to Gothic batista, Old High German bezzist
Best in British English
(bɛst)
noun
1.
Charles Herbert. 1899–1978, Canadian physiologist: associated with Banting and Macleod in their discovery of insulin in 1922
2.
George. 1946–2005, Northern Ireland footballer
best in American English
(bɛst)
adjective
1. superl. of
good
2.
of the most excellent sort; surpassing all others
3.
most suitable, most desirable, most favorable, most profitable, etc.
4.
being almost the whole; largest
it took the best part of an hour
adverb
5. superl. of
well2
6.
in the most excellent manner; in the most suitable way
7.
in the highest degree; to the greatest extent; most
noun
8.
people of the highest worth, ability, or reputation
among the best in his profession
9.
the thing, condition, circumstance, action, etc. that is most excellent, most suitable, etc.
10.
the most one can do; utmost
to do one's best
11.
advantage
to get the best of an opponent
12.
one's finest clothes
verb transitive
13.
to win out over; defeat or outdo
Idioms:
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
Word origin
ME best, betst < OE betst (akin to Goth batists) < ? IE base *bhad-, good > Sans bhadrá-ḥ, fortunate, good
More idioms containing
best
put your best foot forward
the best thing since sliced bread
give something your best shot
someone's best shot at something
the best of both worlds
Examples of 'best' in a sentence
best
All Lirael needed to make the moment perfect was the presence of her best friend, the Disreputable Dog.
Garth Nix LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
Adrina fretted at the delay, but knew the crowd was her best protection.
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
In other languages
best
British English: best /bɛst/ ADJECTIVE
If you say that something is best, you mean that it is better than all the others.
You are my best friend.
American English: best
Arabic: أَفْضَل
Brazilian Portuguese: melhor
Chinese: 最好的
Croatian: najbolji
Czech: nejlepší
Danish: bedste
Dutch: best
European Spanish: el mejor superlativo
Finnish: paras
French: meilleur
German: bester
Greek: βέλτιστος
Italian: migliore
Japanese: 最もよい
Korean: 최고의
Norwegian: best
Polish: najlepszy
European Portuguese: melhor
Romanian: cel mai bun
Russian: наилучший
Latin American Spanish: mejor
Swedish: bäst
Thai: ดีที่สุด
Turkish: en iyi
Ukrainian: кращий
Vietnamese: tốt nhất
British English: best /bɛst/ ADVERB
You use best to say that something is better than all the others.
The thing I liked best was the music.
American English: best
Arabic: أَفْضَل
Brazilian Portuguese: mais
Chinese: 最好地
Croatian: najbolje
Czech: nejlépe
Danish: bedst
Dutch: het beste
European Spanish: mejor
Finnish: parhaiten
French: mieux
German: am liebsten
Greek: καλύτερα
Italian: meglio
Japanese: 最もよく
Korean: 최고로
Norwegian: best
Polish: najlepiej
European Portuguese: da melhor maneira
Romanian: cel mai mult
Russian: лучше всего
Latin American Spanish: mejor
Swedish: bäst
Thai: เหมาะสมที่สุด
Turkish: en iyisi
Ukrainian: найкращий
Vietnamese: tốt nhất
All related terms of 'best'
good
Good means pleasant or enjoyable.
guid
→ a Scot word for good
weel
in a satisfactory manner
well
You say well to indicate that you are about to say something.
at best
You use at best to indicate that even if you describe something as favourably as possible or if it performs as well as it possibly can, it is still not very good.
best-ball
of, relating to, or denoting a match in which one player competes against the best individual totals of two or more other players at each hole
best boy
the assistant to the senior electrician or to the key grip in a film crew
best-case
being the best that can possibly be expected ; optimal
best end
the end of the neck of lamb , pork , etc, nearest to the ribs
best girl
one's sweetheart
best man
The best man at a wedding is the man who assists the bridegroom.
had best
If you say that someone had best do something or that they ' d best do it, you mean they ought to do it. Some people consider this to be non-standard.
know best
to be the best guide, authority, etc.
the best
the most outstanding or excellent person, thing, or group in a category
best friend
a dearest friend
best seller
A best seller is a book of which a lot of copies have been sold.
second best
Second best is used to describe something that is not as good as the best thing of its kind but is better than all the other things of that kind.
Sunday best
If you are in your Sunday best , you are wearing your best clothes, which you only wear for special occasions .
best practice
Best practice is the way of running a business or providing a service that is recognized as correct or most effective .
best-selling
A best-selling product such as a book is very popular and a large quantity of it has been sold.
personal best
A sports player's personal best is the highest score or fastest time that they have ever achieved.
all the best
You can say ' All the best ' when you are saying goodbye to someone, or at the end of a letter.
best in show
an award to the dog , cat , or other animal judged best of all breeds in a competition
best of all
You use best of all to indicate that what you are about to mention is the thing that you prefer or that has most advantages out of all the things you have mentioned.
for the best
If you say that something is for the best , you mean it is the most desirable or helpful thing that could have happened or could be done, considering all the circumstances .
to know best
If you say that a particular person knows best , you mean that they have a lot of experience and should therefore be trusted to make decisions for other people.
at one's best
in one's best mood , form, health , etc.
best of breed
The best of breed is the animal that wins first prize in its section at a dog show.
with the best
as ably as the most able
all for the best
turning out to be good or fortunate after all
as best one can
If someone does something as best they can , they do it as well as they can, although it is very difficult .
best-before date
a date on packaged food indicating how long it is safe to keep it
get the best of
to surpass , defeat, or outwit ; better
make the best of
to cope as well as possible in the unfavourable circumstances of (often in the phrases make the best of a bad job, make the best of it )
one's level best
the best one can do
six of the best
six strokes with a cane on the buttocks or hand
the best part of
most of
to best advantage
If something is shown to good advantage or to best advantage , it is shown in a way that reveals its best features .
a good second best
an acceptable alternative
to look one's best
If you look your best , you are looking as smart and attractive as you can.
bestseller
a book , record , CD, or other product that has sold in great numbers , esp over a short period
good effort
If you make an effort to do something, you try very hard to do it.
come off second best
to be defeated in competition
do one's level best
If you say that you will do your level best to do something, you are emphasizing that you will try as hard as you can to do it, even if the situation makes it very difficult .
give someone the best
to concede someone's superiority
on o's best behavior
If someone is on their best behavior , they are trying very hard to behave well.
on o's best behaviour
If someone is on their best behaviour , they are trying very hard to behave well .
the best of friends
If two people are the best of friends , they are close friends, especially when they have had a disagreement or fight in the past .
good-looking
Someone who is good-looking has an attractive face .
at the best of times
You say at the best of times when you are making a negative or critical comment to emphasize that it is true even when the circumstances are as favourable as possible.
Chinese translation of 'best'
best
(bɛst)
adj
(in quality, suitability, extent) 最好的 (zuì hǎo de)
⇒ It's one of the best films I've seen.这是我看过的最好的电影之一。 (Zhè shì wǒ kànguo de zuì hǎo de diànyǐng zhī yī.)
adv
最 (zuì)
⇒ He is best known as an actor.他是位家喻户晓的演员。 (Tā shì wèi jiā yù hù xiǎo de yǎnyuán.)
⇒ What music do you like best?你最喜欢什么样的音乐？ (Nǐ zuì xǐhuan shénme yàng de yīnyuè?)
n
(in quality etc)
the best最好的事物 (zuì hǎo de shìwù)
⇒ We offer only the best to our clients.我们只为客户提供最上乘的产品。 (Wǒmen zhǐ wèi kèhù tígōng zuì shàngchéng de chǎnpǐn.)
(in achievement) 最大努力 (zuì dà nǔlì)
⇒ He knows how to get the best out of his students.他懂得如何发挥学生的最大潜力。 (Tā dǒngde rúhé fāhuī xuéshēng de zuì dà qiánlì.)
the best thing to do is ... 最好是 ... (zuì hǎo shì ... )
the best part of (= most of) 大部分 (dàbùfèn)
you'd best leave early你最好早点(點)离(離)开(開) (nǐ zuì hǎo zǎodiǎn líkāi)
at best至多 (zhìduō)
to be at one's best处(處)于(於)最佳状(狀)态(態) (chǔ yú zuì jiā zhuàngtài)
to make the best of sth既来(來)之则(則)安之 (jì lái zhī zé ān zhī)
to do or try one's best尽(盡)某人最大的努力 (jìn mǒurén zuì dà de nǔlì)
to the best of my knowledge尽(盡)我所知 (jìn wǒ suǒ zhī)
to the best of my ability尽(盡)我能力所及 (jìn wǒ nénglì suǒ jí)
it's for the best是一件好事 (shì yī jiàn hǎoshì)
he's not exactly patient at the best of times即使在最好的情况(況)下，他也不怎么(麼)耐心 (jíshǐ zài zuì hǎo de qíngkuàng xià, tā yě bù zěnme nàixīn)
to have the best of both worlds两(兩)全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi)
good
(ɡud)
adj
(= pleasant) 令人愉快的 (lìng rén yúkuài de)
⇒ They had a really good time.他们玩得很开心。 (Tāmen wán de hěn kāixīn.)
(= high quality)[food, school, job]好的 (hǎo de)
⇒ She speaks very good English.她英语说得很好。 (Tā yīngyǔ shuō de hěn hǎo.)
(= well-behaved)[boy, girl, dog]乖的 (guāi de)
⇒ Were the kids good?孩子们乖吗？ (Háizimen guāi ma?)
(= sensible)[idea, reason, advice]好的 (hǎo de)
⇒ It was a good idea to bring a torch.带手电筒是个好主意。 (Dài shǒudiàntǒng shì gè hǎo zhǔyi.)
(= skilful) 好的 (hǎode)
⇒ He's a good footballer.他是个很好的足球运动员。 (Tā shì gè hěn hǎo de zúqiú yùndòngyuán.)
(= positive)[news, luck, example]好的 (hǎo de)
⇒ a piece of good news一条好消息 (yī tiáo hǎo xiāoxi)
(= cheerful)[mood, temper]愉快的 (yúkuài de)
⇒ She had a good time in Italy.她在意大利度过了一段愉快的时光。 (Tā zài Yìdàlì dùguòle yī duàn yúkuài de shíguāng.)
⇒ She's in a good mood!她心情很好！ (Ta xīnqíng hén hǎo!)
(= morally correct) 公正的 (gōngzhèng de)
⇒ The president is a good man.总统是个公正的人。 (Zǒngtǒng shì gè gōngzhèng de rén.)
n(u)
(= right) 善 (shàn)
⇒ the battle between good and evil善恶之争 (shàn'è zhī zhēng)
good!好！ (hǎo!)
to be good at (doing) sth精于(於)(做) 某事 (jīng yú (zuò) mǒushì)
to be no good at (doing) sth不擅长(長)(做)某事 (bù shàncháng (zuò) mǒushì)
to be good for doing sth (= useful) 对(對)做某事有帮(幫)助 (duì zuò mǒushì yǒu bāngzhù)
it's no good doing ... 做 ... 没(沒)有用 (zuò ... méiyǒu yòng)
it didn't do any good没(沒)什么(麼)用处(處) (méi shénme yòngchù)
to be up to no good不怀(懷)好意 (bù huái hǎoyì)
it's good for you (= healthy, beneficial) 对(對)你有益 (duì nǐ yǒuyì)
to be good to sb (= kind) 对(對)某人很好 (duì mǒurén hěn hǎo)
⇒ He's always been very good to me.他总是对我很好。 (Tā zǒngshì duì wǒ hěn hǎo.)
to be good with people/with figures擅长(長)与(與)人/数(數)字打交道 (shàncháng yǔ rén/shùzì dǎ jiāodào)
to be good with one's hands手很灵(靈)巧 (shǒu hěn língqiǎo)
is it any good? (= will it do?) 这(這)行吗(嗎)？ (Zhè xíng ma?)
⇒ There's no honey, is sugar any good?没有蜂蜜糖，行吗？ (Méiyǒu fēngmì, táng xíng ma?)
(= what's it like?) 怎么(麼)样(樣)？ (Zěnmeyàng?)
⇒ Is her new novel any good?她的新小说怎么样？ (Tā de xīn xiǎoshuō zěnmeyàng?)
it's good to see you很高兴(興)见(見)到你 (hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ)
it's a good thing you were there, it's a good job you were there (Brit) 幸亏(虧)你在那儿(兒) (xìngkuī nǐ zài nàr)
that's very good of you你实(實)在太好了 (nǐ shízài tài hǎo le)
would you be good enough to ... ?可不可以请(請)您 ... ？ (kě bù kěyǐ qǐng nín ... ?)
good morning/afternoon!早上/下午好！ (zǎoshang/xiàwǔ hǎo!)
good evening!晚上好！ (wǎnshang hǎo!)
good night! (before going home) 再见(見)！ (zàijiàn!) (before going to bed) 晚安！ (wǎn'ān!)
to feel good (= happy) 感到高兴(興) (gǎndào gāoxìng)
to make good[damage, loss]弥(彌)补(補) (míbǔ)
⇒ Three years was a short time in which to make good the deficiencies.弥补这些不足，3年的时间是很短的。 (Míbǔ zhèxiē bùzú, sān nián de shíjiān shì hěn duǎn de.)
(= succeed) 成功 (chénggōng)
to take a good look好好看一看 (hǎohǎo kàn yī kàn)
a good while ago很久以前 (hěn jiǔ yǐqián)
as good as (= almost) 几(幾)乎相当(當)于(於) (jīhū xiāngdāngyú)
for good (= forever) 永久地 (yǒngjiǔ de)
for the good of sb为(為)了某人的利益 (wèile mǒurén de lìyì)
it's for your own good是为(為)了你自己好 (shì wèi le nǐ zìjǐ hǎo)
to do sb good对(對)某人有益 (duì mǒurén yǒuyì)
not until I'm good and ready直到我彻(徹)底准(準)备(備)好时(時)才 (zhídào wǒ chèdǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo shí cái)
请勿将 be good for 和 be good to 混淆。若某事 be good for 某个个人或组织，即它有益于该人或组织。 The policy is good for company morale. 如果某人 be good to 你，表示他对你很友好，很体贴。 Phil cannot replace my dad but he has been very good to me.
see also
goods
well
(wɛl)
n(c)
(for water) 井 (jǐng) (口, kǒu)
(= oil well) 油井 (yóujǐng)
adv
(= to a high standard) 好 (hǎo)
⇒ She speaks French well.她法语说得好。 (Tā Fǎyǔ shuō de hǎo.)
(= completely) 充分地 (chōngfèn de)
⇒ Mix all the ingredients well.将所有的配料充分混合。 (Jiāng suǒyǒu de pèiliào chōngfèn hùnhé.)
⇒ I don't know him well.我不是很了解他。 (Wǒ bùshì hěn liǎojiě tā.)
(emphatic with adv, adj, phrase) 很 (hěn)
⇒ The film is well worth seeing.这部电影很值得一看。 (Zhè bù diànyǐng hěn zhídé yī kàn.)
adj
(= healthy) 身体(體)好的 (shēntǐ hǎo de)
⇒ He's not very well.他身体不太好。 (Tā shēntǐ bù tài hǎo.)
vi
[tears]涌(湧)上 (yǒngshàng)
int
唔 (ng)
⇒ Well! I don't know what to say to that.唔，我不知道对此该说些什么。 (Ng, wǒ bù zhīdào duì cǐ gāi shuō xiē shénme.)
to do well[person]做得好 (zuò de hǎo) [business]进(進)展顺(順)利 (jìnzhǎn shùnlì)
well done!棒极了！ (bàng jí le!)
well done[meat]煮得老的 (zhǔ de lǎo de)
he did as well as he could他尽(盡)可能做得好 (tā jìn kěnéng zuò de hǎo)
how well do you know him?你对(對)他有多了解？ (nǐ duì tā yǒu duō liǎojiě?)
as well (= in addition) 也 (yě)
X as well as Y (= in addition to) 除了Y还(還)有X (chúle Y háiyǒu X)
you might or may as well tell me你还(還)是告诉(訴)我吧 (nǐ háishì gàosù wǒ ba)
you may or could well be right你很可能是对(對)的 (nǐ hěn kěnéng shì duì de)
it's just as well幸好 (xìnghǎo)
well and truly确(確)实(實)地 (quèshí de)
I don't feel well我觉(覺)得不舒服 (wǒ juéde bù shūfu)
get well soon!早日康复(復)！ (zǎorì kāngfù!)
well, as I was saying ... 那么(麼)，像我刚(剛)才所说(說)的 ... (nàme, xiàng wǒ gāngcái suǒ shuō de ... )
oh well噢，那好吧 (ō, nà hǎo ba)
All related terms of 'best'
good
( pleasant ) 令人愉快的 lìng rén yúkuài de ⇒ They had a really good time. → 他们玩得很开心。 Tāmen wán de hěn kāixīn.
well
( for water ) 井 jǐng [ 口 kǒu ]
at best
至多 zhìduō
best man
男傧(儐)相 nánbīnxiàng [ 位 wèi ]
the best
最好的事物 zuì hǎo de shìwù
best guess
最佳猜测(測) zuìjiā cāicè
best wishes
( on birthday, promotion etc ) 良好的祝愿(願) liánghǎo de zhùyuàn
best of all
最好不过(過)的是 zuì hǎo bùguò de shì
the best ever
迄今最佳 qìjīn zuìjiā
the best yet
迄今最好的 qìjīn zuì hǎo de
best-before date
( on food etc ) 保质(質)日期 bǎozhì rìqī
the best part of
( most of ) 大部分 dàbùfèn
the best solution
最好的解决(決)方案 zuìhǎo de jiějué fāng'àn
with best wishes
( in letter ) 祝好 zhùhǎo
it's for the best
是一件好事 shì yī jiàn hǎoshì
the next best thing
仅(僅)次于(於)最好的 jǐn cì yú zuì hǎo de
to be at one's best
处(處)于(於)最佳状(狀)态(態) chǔ yú zuì jiā zhuàngtài
to hope for the best
保持乐(樂)观(觀) bǎochí lèguān
you'd best leave early
你最好早点(點)离(離)开(開) nǐ zuì hǎo zǎodiǎn líkāi
give her my best wishes
代我向她致意 dài wǒ xiàng tā zhìyì
to do one's level best
全力以赴 quánlì yǐ fù
to come off best/worst etc
表现(現)最佳/最差 等 biǎoxiàn zuì jiā/zuì chà děng
to do or try one's best
尽(盡)某人最大的努力 jìn mǒurén zuì dà de nǔlì
to make the best of sth
既来(來)之则(則)安之 jì lái zhī zé ān zhī
to the best of my ability
尽(盡)我能力所及 jìn wǒ nénglì suǒ jí
good luck! or best of luck!
祝你好运(運)！ zhùnǐ hǎoyùn!
the best athlete in the team
该(該)队(隊)中最好的运(運)动(動)员(員) gāiduì zhōng zuìhǎo de yùndòngyuán
the best singer that ever was
曾经(經)有过(過)的最好的歌手 céngjīng yǒuguo de zuì hǎo de gēshǒu
the best thing to do is ...
最好是 ... zuì hǎo shì ...
the best thing would be to ...
最好的方式是 ... zuìhǎo de fāngshì shì ...
the best/worst film of all time
有史以来(來)最好/最差的电(電)影 yǒu shǐ yǐ lái zuì hǎo/zuì chà de diànyǐng