best

I UK [best] / US adjective ***

1)

a) used for referring to the person or thing that is the most satisfactory, suitable, pleasant, effective, of the highest quality etc

the best hotel in town

Negotiation is always the best way of settling a dispute.

best for:

What kind of soil is best for growing roses?

I want to do what's best for the family.

make the best use of something (= use something in the most effective way):

I want to make the best use of my time while I'm here.

b) used for referring to the person who is the most skilful at doing something

the best player in the team

2) used for referring to your nicest or most expensive clothes that you wear on special occasions

At the wedding he'll be wearing his best suit.

•

- someone's best friend

- best wishes

See:

bet II, bib, foot I, part I

II UK [best] / US noun ***

the best

a) the person or thing that is the most satisfactory, suitable, pleasant, effective, of the highest quality etc

I want the very best for my family.

best of:

If you go to Ireland in June, you should have the best of the weather.

the best of everything (= all the most expensive things):

She's a city lawyer, so she can afford the best of everything.

b) the person who is the most skilful at doing something

Of all the team, she's the best by far.

simply/absolutely the best:

In the world of ballet she was quite simply the best.

•

at someone's/something's best — when someone is feeling most intelligent or effective, or when something is showing its most impressive or attractive qualities

I'd only just got out of bed, so I wasn't at my best.

To see New England at its best, you should come in September when the leaves start to change colour.

be (all) for the best — used for saying that something bad that has happened is not really as bad as it seems because it will make the situation better in the end

He's failed all his exams, but perhaps it's for the best because he's not really the academic type.

(the) best of luck — mainly spoken used for wishing someone good luck in something they are trying to do

I think you're taking a big risk, but anyway, best of luck!

do/try your best — to try as hard as you can in order to achieve something

I don't know if I can finish the whole job in one day, but I'll do my best.

get/have the best of it — to gain an advantage in a fight, argument, game etc

The contest ended with no clear winner but, of the two, I think George had the best of it.

to the best of my knowledge/belief — used for saying that you think your statement is true, because it is based on what you know/believe, but you are not completely sure

To the best of my knowledge, no similar book has been published.

- all the best

- at best

- at the best of times

- best of all

- the best of both worlds

- the best of friends

- make the best of it

- to the best of someone's ability

- with the best of them

See:

look I, 3), c), will II

III UK [best] / US adverb ***

1) in the way that is most satisfactory, suitable, pleasant, effective, successful etc

You need to find out which program works best on your computer.

He is the kind of musician who always performs best in front of a live audience.

The play can be best described as "a serious comedy".

do something as best you can (= do something as well as you are able):

I'll try to deal with all these problems as best I can.

suit someone best (= be most suitable for someone):

Which colour do you think suits me best?

2)

a) used for saying that someone or something is liked or known more than any other

like someone/something best:

What kind of music do you like best?

best known/loved:

The Mona Lisa is probably the world's best-known painting.

one of Gershwin's best loved melodies

b) used for saying that someone or something is famous, especially in one particular way or for one particular reason

best known/remembered for something:

James Dean is best remembered for his star performance in Rebel without a Cause.

The Bordeaux region is best known for its fine wines.

best known as:

Conan Doyle is probably best known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

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- had best do something

IV UK [best] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "best":
present tense I/you/we/they best he/she/it bests present participle besting past tense bested past participle bested formal

to gain an advantage over or defeat an opponent

The Chinese pair bested the Swedes 3–1.