best

adj

1. (form-of, superlative)superlative form of good: most good.

   “I can either be your best friend or your worst enemy.”

   “[…] when he is beſt, he is a little worſe then a man, and when he is worſt, he is little better than a beaſt:”

   “Heav'ns laſt beſt gift, my ever new delight,”

   “Swinging in the backyard Pull up in your fast car whistling my name Open up a beer And you say get over here and play a video game […] I say you the bestest Lean in for a big kiss, put his favorite perfume on Go play your video game”

   “Policing the relationship between government and business in a free society is difficult.[…]Governments have to find the best people to fill important jobs: there is a limited supply of people who understand the financial system, for example. But governments must also remember that businesses are self-interested actors who will try to rig the system for their own benefit.”

2. Most; largest.

   “Unpacking took the best part of a week.”

3. Most superior; most favorable.

   “In my opinion, mushrooms are the best pizza toppings.”

adv

1. (form-of, superlative)superlative form of well: most well

   “A popular aphorism says it best: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

   “Out of my ſight, thou Serpent, that name beſt Befits thee with him leagu'd, thy ſelf as falſe And hateful;”

   “But had we beſt retire, I ſee a ſtorm?”

   “He prayeth best, who loveth best / All things both great and small.”

   “At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy ; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.”

2. To the most advantage; with the most success, cause, profit, benefit, or propriety.

   “You'd best save a backup copy, just in case the morons lose the one that you sent and then try to act like you never sent one.”

   “Had I not best go to her?”

noun

1. (often, uncountable)The supreme effort one can make, or has made.

   “I did my best.”

   “My personal best in that race is eighteen minutes, four seconds.”

   “Home defender Per Mertesacker had to be at his best to stop a dangerous cross from Vassilis Torossidis reaching Djebbour, but moments later Arsenal doubled their lead through Santos.”

2. (often, uncountable)One's best behavior.

   “I was somewhat distant lately, and my lady promised me head every Tuesday of the week when I’m nice to her, so I better be on my best.”

3. (countable, often)The person (or persons; or thing or things) that is (are) most excellent.

   “Even the best of us makes mistakes, but only a few with the best of intentions...”

   “We're (the) best of friends, who fortunately enjoy the best of health.”

   “I love it so much! It's the best.”

   “Mel Gussow reviews the bests of off off Broadway”

   “But in true Cincinnati style, the bests consistently outnumber the worsts.”

verb

1. (transitive)To surpass in skill or achievement.
2. (transitive)To beat in a contest.

   “"You did not win because I was sloppy. You bested me, Uncle. I've never seen you fight like that before.””

3. (colloquial, modal)Had best.

   “It's getting late. You best get on home.”

   “'We best be going,' she said, looking at the clock.”

   “Brother, you best be gone when I return.”

name

1. (countable, uncountable)A surname.

   “Dyshan Best, 39, was shot in the back last year as he fled from officers in Bridgeport, Connecticut. A report released this week by the state’s inspector general found that the shooting was justified because Best had a gun in his hand and the officer pursuing him had reasons to fear for his own safety.”

2. (countable, uncountable)A village and municipality in North Brabant province, Netherlands.