best
35 synonyms and 1 antonyms for best, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Of the highest quality, or most suitable; superlative of "good."
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use best
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English betst/bezt, the superlative form of "good," ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root shared with "better."
Full origin of best →Frequently asked questions
What does “best” mean?
The word “best” means of the highest quality, or most suitable; superlative of "good.". In plain terms, the highest-quality or most favourable option, or to beat someone in a contest.
How do you pronounce “best”?
“Best” is pronounced BEHST (/ˈbɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “best” in a sentence?
Here is “best” used in a sentence: “This is the best pizza I've ever eaten.”
What is another word for “best”?
Words with a similar meaning to “best” include all that and a bag of chips, antelope's cantaloupes, ant's pants, bee's knees, cat's ass and cat's meow.
What is the opposite of “best”?
The opposite of “best” — its antonyms — is worst.
What part of speech is “best”?
Depending on how it is used, “best” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “best” come from?
The word “best” comes from Old English. From Old English betst/bezt, the superlative form of "good," ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root shared with "better.".
Is “best” a common word?
“Best” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between best and better?
'Better' is the comparative form, used when comparing two things or noting improvement, as in 'this one is better than that.' 'Best' is the superlative, used when something surpasses all others in a group, as in 'the best of the three.' Use 'better' for two, and 'best' for three or more.
Is 'best' the superlative of 'good'?
Yes. 'Good' is irregular, so it does not add -er and -est. Instead the sequence is good, better, best. 'Better' compares two items, and 'best' marks the top of three or more, as in 'a good film, a better film, the best film of the year.' 'Best' also serves as the superlative of 'well.'
What is the opposite of best?
The opposite is 'worst,' the superlative of 'bad,' meaning of the lowest quality or least suitable. Just as 'best' tops a group, 'worst' sits at the bottom, as in 'the best and worst moments of the year.' The comparative pair is 'better' and 'worse.'
What is an example of 'best' in a sentence?
'She is the best player on the team' ranks her above all the others. 'This is the best time to visit' means the most suitable. 'He did his best' means the finest effort he could manage. In each, 'best' marks the highest point of quality or suitability.