Search results for 'best':

best adj (superlative of good) 1 most excellent, suitable or desirable. 2 most successful, clever, able or skilled, etc. 3 the greatest or most • took the best part of an hour. adverb (superlative of well¹) 1 most successfully or skilfully, etc • Who did best in the test? 2 more than, or better than, all others • I like her best • Which hat looks best? noun 1 (the best) the most excellent or suitable person or thing; the most desirable quality or result, etc • the best of the bunch. 2 the greatest effort; one's utmost • Do your best. 3 a person's finest clothes • Sunday best. 4 (the best) victory or success • get the best of an argument. 5 (usually the best of something) a winning majority from (a given number, etc) • the best of three. verb (bested, besting) colloq to beat or defeat someone. all the best! colloq said in parting, closing a telephone conversation, etc: best wishes; good luck; wishing you success, happiness, etc. as best one can as well as one can. at best considered in the most favourable way; in the best of circumstances. at the best of times even in the most favourable circumstances. the best bet or your, our, etc best bet colloq the (or your, our, etc) most appropriate course of action. best wishes often written in greetings cards, etc: wishing you happiness, health, prosperity, success, etc. for the best likely or intended to have the best results possible, especially in the long term or over all. had best do something would find it wisest to do it • You had best find out straight away. make the best of something to do, etc as well as possible in unfavourable circumstances • It isn't what I wanted, but I'll just have to make the best of it. put one's best foot forward to make the best attempt possible. to the best of one's knowledge or belief or ability as far as one knows, or believes, or is able. with the best of them as successfully or as well as anyone.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon betst; 19c as verb.

good adj (better, best) 1 a having desirable or necessary (positive) qualities; admirable; b patronizing used when addressing or referring to someone • my good man • your good lady. 2 a morally correct; virtuous; b (the good) virtuous people in general (see the 4). 3 kind and generous. 4 bringing happiness or pleasure • good news. 5 well-behaved. 6 wise; advisable • a good buy. 7 thorough. 8 finest compared with others • my good china. 9 adequate; satisfactory • a good supply. 10 enjoyable • having a good time. 11 valid. 12 well-respected. 13 sound; giving use; serviceable • The roof is good for another winter. 14 financially sound • a good investment. 15 considerable; at least • waited a good while • lasted a good month. 16 certain to provide the desired result • good for a laugh. 17 used to introduce exclamations expressing surprise, dismay, or exasperation • good heavens • good grief • good golly. noun 1 moral correctness; virtue. 2 benefit; advantage • do you good • £20 to the good • It turned out all to the good. exclamation expressing approval or satisfaction. adverb, colloq very well • The boy Linneker done good. as good as ... almost ... ; virtually .... as good as gold or good as gold said especially of children: extremely well-behaved. be as good as one's word to carry out one's promises. for good or for good and all for ever; permanently. good and ... colloq very ... ; completely or absolutely ... • good and ready. good at something competent at it; talented in that area. good for someone or something beneficial to them or it. good for you, etc! or (Austral, NZ colloq) or good on you, etc! 1 an expression of approval or congratulation. 2 an expression of snide resentment. good morning or good afternoon or good evening traditional expressions used when either meeting or parting from someone at the specified time of day. good night a traditional expression used when parting from someone at night or well on in the day. in someone's good books in favour with someone. make good to be successful. make something good 1 to repair it. 2 to carry it out or fulfil it. no good 1 useless. 2 worthless. to the good on the credit side.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon god.

well¹ adverb (better, best) 1 competently; skilfully. 2 satisfactorily. 3 kindly or favourably. 4 thoroughly, properly or carefully. 5 fully or adequately. 6 intimately • don't know her well. 7 successfully; prosperously. 8 approvingly. 9 attractively. 10 by a long way • well past midnight. 11 justifiably • can't very well ignore him. 12 conceivably; quite possibly • may well be right. 13 understandably • if she objects, as well she may. 14 very much • well worth doing. 15 usually colloq used in combination for emphasis • I'm jolly well going to • I was well pleased! adj (better, best) 1 healthy. 2 in a satisfactory state. 3 sensible; advisable • would be well to check. exclamation 1 used enquiringly in expectation of a response or explanation, etc. 2 used variously in conversation, eg to resume a narrative, preface a reply, express surprise, indignation or doubt, etc. all very well colloq said as an objecting response to a consoling remark: satisfactory or acceptable but only up to a point • It's all very well to criticize. as well 1 too; in addition. 2 (also just as well) for all the difference it makes • I may as well tell you. 3 (also just as well) a good thing; lucky • It was just as well you came when you did. as well as ... in addition to ... be as well to do something to be sensible to do it. do well out of something to profit from it. leave or let well alone not to interfere in things that are satisfactory as they are. mean well to have helpful or kindly intentions. very well an expression of acceptance in complying with an order or accepting a point, etc. well and good used to show acceptance of facts or a situation. well and truly thoroughly; completely. well away 1 making rapid progress; far away. 2 colloq drunk or asleep, etc. well done! an expression used to congratulate someone on an achievement, etc. well enough satisfactory within limits. well off 1 wealthy; financially comfortable. 2 fortunate; successful. well out of something colloq fortunate to be free of it. well up in something colloq having a thorough knowledge of it. well, well expressing surprise. well worth something definitely worth it.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon wel.