Adj / Adv / Noun / Verb A2 — Elementary /best/

Best — Definition, Examples & Usage

The superlative of good and well — meaning of the highest quality, to the greatest degree, or something outstanding.

Quick Definition

Best (adjective) — of the highest quality; most suitable or most desirable: the best restaurant in the city.

Best (adverb) — to the highest degree; in the most effective or satisfying way: She works best under pressure.

Best (noun) — the highest standard that someone or something can achieve; something or someone outstanding: Give it your best.

Best (verb, formal/literary) — to defeat or outdo someone: He bested every challenger in the tournament.

What Does Best Mean?

Best is the superlative form of both good (adjective) and well (adverb), making it one of the most irregular — yet most used — words in English. It expresses the idea of maximum quality, suitability, or degree when comparing three or more things, or when making an absolute statement about the highest standard.

The adjective use is the most common: "the best solution", "my best friend", "best practice". The adverb use appears in phrases like "works best", "sleeps best", "learns best". The noun use — typically after a possessive or article — appears in expressions such as "do your best", "at its best", and "all the best". The verb use, meaning to defeat, is found mainly in formal writing and literature.

Because best is already a superlative, it must never be combined with most. "The most best" is a double superlative and is always incorrect. This is one of the most frequent errors made by ESL learners at all levels.

Etymology. Best comes from Old English betst or betest, the superlative of god (good). It is related to Old Norse beztr and Gothic batists, all derived from the Proto-Germanic root *bataz meaning "good" or "advantage". This same root gives us better and the now-rare word boot (meaning "benefit"), still surviving in the phrase "to boot" (meaning "in addition"). The word has been part of English continuously since the earliest records.

Example Sentences (A2 — C1)

SentenceLevel & usage note
She gave her best effort in the speaking exam. A2 — best as adjective before noun
This is the best film I have seen this year. B1 — best in a relative clause comparison
He works best when he has a clear deadline to meet. B1 — best as adverb after linking verb
To the best of my knowledge, the report has not been published yet. B2 — fixed phrase expressing limited certainty
Despite fierce competition, she bested all her rivals to secure the contract. C1 — best as verb in formal written register

Collocations

CollocationExample
best friendShe has been my best friend since primary school.
best practiceSharing best practice is essential for school improvement.
best sellerThe novel became an immediate best seller.
best wishesShe signed the letter "With best wishes, Anna."
best manHis brother agreed to be best man at the wedding.
do your bestJust do your best and don't worry about the result.
at bestThe proposal is, at best, an incomplete solution.
best beforeCheck the best before date on the packaging.
make the best ofWe had to make the best of a difficult situation.
give it your best shotWe don't know if it will work, but give it your best shot.

Usage Notes

  • Superlative, not comparative. Use best when comparing three or more items or making an absolute claim. Use better for two: "This option is better than that one, but the third is the best."
  • With the definite article. The adjective best usually takes the definite article when followed by a noun in a specific comparison: "the best café in town". However, fixed phrases drop the article: best practice, best before, best man.
  • Best as adverb. After verbs of activity, best acts as an adverb without any additional marker: "She sings best when relaxed." Do not add -ly; "bestly" does not exist.
  • Formal register: best as verb. "To best someone" means to defeat them. This usage is rare in conversation but appears regularly in journalism and literary prose: "The underdog bested the champion."
  • Fixed expressions. Learn all the best (farewell wish), at best (most optimistically), to the best of my knowledge (as far as I know), and best of luck (good wishes) as complete chunks.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

This is the most best solution we have found.

This is the best solution we have found. (never add most to a superlative)

Between the two options, this one is the best.

Between the two options, this one is better. (use better for two items, best for three or more)

She is my best-est friend.

She is my best friend. (best is already superlative; adding -est is non-standard)

He works bestly in the morning.

He works best in the morning. (best is its own adverb; bestly does not exist)

Related Words

good better well superior finest optimal outstanding excellent top

Synonyms

finest greatest top premier supreme optimal unsurpassed

Antonyms

worst poorest lowest inferior

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “best”

What does best mean in English?
Best is the superlative of both good (adjective) and well (adverb). As an adjective it means of the highest quality or most suitable: "the best restaurant in town". As an adverb it means to the greatest degree: "She works best in the morning". As a noun it means the highest standard achievable: "Give it your best." As a verb (informal) it means to defeat: "He bested his rival in the debate".
Is best an adjective, adverb, noun, or verb?
Best functions as all four parts of speech. As an adjective: "the best answer". As an adverb: "I learn best by doing". As a noun: "She gave her best". As a verb (formal or literary): "He bested every opponent". The adjective and adverb uses are far more common in everyday English.
What is the difference between better and best?
Better is the comparative form of good/well, used to compare two things: "This book is better than that one." Best is the superlative, used when comparing three or more things or making an absolute statement: "This is the best book I have ever read." Never say "the most best" — that is a double superlative and is incorrect.
How do you use best in a sentence?
As an adjective: "What is the best way to learn vocabulary?" As an adverb: "Children learn best through play." As a noun after a possessive: "Do your best." As a verb: "The young player bested the champion." Note that best as a verb is mostly found in formal writing and literature.
What does 'all the best' mean?
"All the best" is a common British English expression used to wish someone well, especially at the end of a letter, email, or conversation. It is equivalent to "best wishes" or "good luck". It is informal but polite and appears frequently in professional correspondence as a closing phrase.
What is the difference between 'best' and 'the best'?
When best is used as an adjective before a noun in a specific comparison, the definite article is usually required: "She is the best student in the class." However, in fixed phrases and idioms the article is often dropped: "best practice", "best before", "at best", "do your best". Pay attention to whether the noun is specific or general.
What does 'best before' mean?
"Best before" is a label on food packaging in British English indicating the date by which the product is at its best quality. After this date the food may still be safe to eat but its quality — flavour, texture, or nutritional value — may have declined. It is different from "use by", which is a safety deadline.
What is the origin of the word best?
Best comes from Old English betst or betest, the superlative of god (good). It is related to Old Norse beztr and Gothic batists. The root is Proto-Germanic *bataz, meaning good or advantage, which also gives us better and the archaic boot meaning benefit, as in "to boot" (in addition).
What are common collocations with best?
Common collocations include: best practice, best friend, best seller, best man, best wishes, best effort, best before, at best, do your best, give it your best shot, best of luck, to the best of my knowledge, and make the best of something. Many of these are fixed phrases with specific meanings that should be learnt as chunks.
How can I practise using best in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise best in context, or use the Flash Cards tool to test vocabulary including best and related forms (good, better, well, bested). Writing short paragraphs comparing your favourite things — films, foods, places — is also excellent practice for using superlatives naturally.