best
adjective /best/
Of the most excellent, effective, or desirable type or quality
- the best pitcher in the league
- how to obtain the best results from your machine
- her best black suit
Most enjoyable
- some of the best times of my life
Most appropriate, advantageous, or well advised
- do whatever you think best
- it's best if we both go
adverb /best/
To the highest degree; most
- the one we liked best
- you knew him best
- well-drained soil suits it best
Most excellently or effectively
- the best-dressed man in Hollywood
- the things we do best
Most suitably, appropriately, or usefully
- this is best done at home
- jokes are best avoided in essays
noun /best/
That which is the most excellent, outstanding, or desirable
- buy the best you can afford
- Sarah always had to be the best at everything
- this year’s event will cover the best of both domestic and international manufacturing practices
The most meritorious aspect of a thing or person
- he brought out the best in people
The peak of condition; the highest standard or level that a person or thing can reach
- this is jazz at its best
- try to look your best
One's finest or most formal clothes
- she dressed in her best
(in sports) A record of a specified kind, esp. a personal one
- achieving a lifetime best of 12.0 seconds
- a personal best
verb /best/
bested, past participle; bested, past tense; besting, present participle; bests, 3rd person singular present
Outwit or get the better of (someone)
- she refused to allow herself to be bested
Web definitions
(superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities; "the best film of the year"; "the best solution"; "the best time for planting"; "wore his best suit"
in a most excellent way or manner; "he played best after a couple of martinis"
outdo: get the better of; "the goal was to best the competition"
the supreme effort one can make; "they did their best"
better(p): (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be better to speak to him"; "the White House thought it best not to respond"
it would be sensible; "you'd best stay at home"