best

Etymology 1

From Middle English beste, best, from Old English betst, betest, from Proto-Germanic *batistaz.

adj

1. superlative form of good: most good.
   I can either be your best friend or your worst enemy.
   Swinging in the backyard Pull up in your fast car whistling my name Open up a beer And you say get over here and play a video game […] I say you the bestest Lean in for a big kiss, put his favorite perfume on Go play your video game 7 October 2011, Lana Del Rey, Justin Parker (lyrics and music), “Video Games”, in Born to Die, performed by Lana Del Rey
   Policing the relationship between government and business in a free society is difficult.[…]Governments have to find the best people to fill important jobs: there is a limited supply of people who understand the financial system, for example. But governments must also remember that businesses are self-interested actors who will try to rig the system for their own benefit. 2013-08-10, Schumpeter, “Cronies and capitols”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848
2. Most; largest.
   Unpacking took the best part of a week.
3. Most superior; most favorable.
   In my opinion, mushrooms are the best pizza toppings.

adv

1. superlative form of well: most well
2. To the most advantage; with the most success, cause, profit, benefit, or propriety.

noun

1. (uncountable) The supreme effort one can make, or has made.
   I did my best.
   My personal best in that race is eighteen minutes, four seconds.
   Home defender Per Mertesacker had to be at his best to stop a dangerous cross from Vassilis Torossidis reaching Djebbour, but moments later Arsenal doubled their lead through Santos. September 28, 2011, Tom Rostance, “Arsenal 2 - 1 Olympiakos”, in BBC Sport
2. (uncountable) One's best behavior.
   I was somewhat distant lately, and my lady promised me head every Tuesday of the week when I’m nice to her, so I better be on my best.
3. (countable) The person (or persons; or thing or things) that is (are) most excellent.
   Even the best of us makes mistakes.
   We're the best of friends.
   Mel Gussow reviews the bests of off off Broadway 1994, Otis L. Guernsey, Jeffrey Sweet, The Best Plays of 1993-1994, page vii
   But in true Cincinnati style, the bests consistently outnumber the worsts. 1995 October, Cincinnati Magazine, page 5
   There are the bests for each institution, the bests for coalitions, and, of course, the bests for the group as a whole. 2011, G. Edward Evans, Sheila S. Intner, Jean Riddle Weihs, Introduction to Technical Services, page 149
   If he's one of the bests, he should be fighting the bests, NOT the pipitsugins. 2013, Jesse Jose, Collections Of My Best And Most-Hated, "A Cup O' Kapeng Barako" Writings, page 209

verb

1. To surpass in skill or achievement.
2. (transitive) To beat in a contest.
   The Norddeutscher Lloyd steamship Kronprinz Wilhelm left New York on May 3 [1904], at 3.10 p.m. and reached Plymouth Sound on May 9 at 8 a.m. This was then a very fast crossing of the Atlantic, but it was not the record. The same ship had held the "Blue Riband" in 1902, but had been slightly bested by the Kaiser Wilhelm II, a larger vessel of the same line, in 1903, and that stood as the record until the Cunard Line secured the honours in 1909 with the Mauretania and held them for an unbroken period of 20 years. 1944 July and August, Charles E. Lee, “The "City of Truro"”, in Railway Magazine, pages 201–202
   "You did not win because I was sloppy. You bested me, Uncle. I've never seen you fight like that before.” 2010, T. William Phillips, Restless Heart, page 16

Etymology 2

Shortening of had best

verb

1. (modal verb, colloquial) Had best.
   It's getting late. You best get on home.
   'We best be going,' she said, looking at the clock. 1935, Edward Joseph O'Brien, John Cournos, editors, The Best British Short Stories of 1935, page 37
   Brother, you best be gone when I return. 2010, Mary B. Morrison, Somebody's Gotta Be On Top