best
best is defined in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913) with 7 senses, and appears in Roget's Thesaurus (1911) with 40 related terms. The full text of each entry is reproduced verbatim below.
Definitions
- 1.Most advanced; most correct or complete; as, the best scholar; the best view of a subject.
- 2.Most; largest; as, the best part of a week. Best man, the only or principal groomsman at a wedding ceremony.
- 3.Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action; as, to do one's best; to the best of our ability. At best, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; under the most favorable circumstances; as, life is at best very short. -- For best, finally. [Obs.] "Those constitutions . . . are now established for best, and not to be mended." Milton. -- To get the best of, to gain an advantage over, whether fairly or unfairly. -- To make the best of. (a) To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the greatest advantage. "Let there be freedom to carry their commodities where they can make the best of them." Bacon. (b) To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain.
- 4.In the highest degree; beyond all others. "Thou serpent! That name best befits thee." Milton. He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small. Coleridge.
- 5.To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety. Had we best retire I see a storm. Milton. Had I not best go to her Thackeray.
- 6.Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself.
- 7.To get the better of. [Colloq.]
Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
Synonyms
Related terms (Roget's 1911)
- abatement
- abide
- about
- acquaintance
- adjust
- adjustment
- ado
- advantage
- adventure
- advocate
- agree
- aim
- all
- ally
- alter
- ambo
- amigo
- and
- arbitration
- are
- aright
- arrange
- associate
- attach
- attempt
- auxiliary
- bed
- bedfellow
- behalf
- behoof
- beneficial
- benefit
- blessing
- bold
- boon
- boot
- bosom
- breath
- breathing
- bridge
Source: Roget's Thesaurus, 1911 edition (public domain, via Project Gutenberg eBook #10681).
Related questions
Reverse-dictionary questions
Definition-first questions whose answer is best.
- What is most advanced; most correct or complete; as, the best scholar; the best view of a subject called?
- What is most; largest; as, the best part of a week. Best man, the only or principal groomsman at a wedding ceremony called?
- What is in the highest degree; beyond all others. "Thou serpent! That name best befits thee." Milton. He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small. Coleridge called?
- What is to the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety. Had we best retire I see a storm. Milton. Had I not best go to her Thackeray called?
- What is most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself called?
Sources
- Definitions: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
- Synonyms: Roget's Thesaurus, 1911 edition (public domain, via Project Gutenberg eBook #10681).
- Canonical URL: https://worddirectanswers.com/word/best
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