Did you know?
Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word
best
- definition
What are red words?
90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.
Thesaurus
The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.
more
/best/- 1in the way that is most satisfactory, appropriate, pleasant, effective, successful, etc.
The play can be best described as “a serious comedy.”
You need to find out which program works best on your computer.
He is the kind of musician who always performs best in front of a live audience.
do something as best you can (=do something as well as you are able):I’ll try to deal with all these problems as best I can.
suit someone best (=be most suitable for someone):Which color do you think suits me best?
- 2used for saying that someone or something is liked or known more than any otherlike someone/something best:
What kind of music do you like best?
best known/loved:The Mona Lisa is probably the world’s best-known painting.
one of Gershwin’s best loved melodies
- a.used for saying that someone or something is famous, especially in one particular way or for one particular reasonbest known/remembered for something:
James Dean is best remembered for his star performance in Rebel without a Cause.
The Bordeaux region is best known for its fine wines.
best known as:Conan Doyle is probably best known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
phrase
had best do something
This is the American English definition of best. View British English definition of best.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.
vocal fry
a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence
BuzzWord ArticleWord of the Day
simile
a phrase that describes something by comparing it to something else using the word...
Open Dictionary
conflict mineral
a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons
add a wordMore submissions
view entriesBlog
A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.
global English and language change from our blog