You can learn the English word “best” by watching videos, so you are able to understand English definition, meaning, sounds and acquire natural rhythms. Joshua’s Seven-Step Method is an effective learning method for listening, speaking, reading and writing English.
Learning video for “best” | Joshua’s English Dictionary
best – Definition & Meaning summary
Used as an ADJ.
- Having qualities in the highest degree; such as good, kind, desirable, suitable.
- Most advanced: most correct or complete.
- Most desirable.
Used as an Adverb.
- In the highest degree beyond all others.
- To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, or benefit.
- Most intimately.
- What is most expedient.
Joshua’s Seven-Step Method
Let’s learn the English vocabulary “best” by using our Seven-Step Method for effective learning.
Step 1: How to pronounce “best” in English
Can you pronounce this word correctly?
The answer is this.
- American : /best/
- British : /best/
Step 2: The Word Origin
The word, ‘best’, is derived from Anglo-Saxon “betest” which means “the most excellent.”
So, from the Word Origin, “the most excellent” is the essential meaning of “best.”
Step 3: Definition
The modern usages of “best” are:
Used as an ADJ.
First meaning, having qualities in the highest degree; such as good, kind, desirable, suitable.
As, the best man, the best road, the best clothes, the best ability.
For example – He didn’t do very well, even when he was playing at his best.
Second meaning, most advanced: most correct or complete.
As, the best scholar, the best view of a subject.
For example – He won the award for the best rookie in the league.
Third meaning, most desirable.
As, the best part of something.
For example – I think the best cut of beef is the filet mignon.
Note: “filet mignon” means “a thick slice of beef cut from the smaller end of the tenderloin.”
Used as an Adverb.
First meaning, in the highest degree beyond all others.
For example – Just give it your best that’s all we ask.
Second meaning, to the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, or benefit.
For example – We best leave now, or we’ll miss the plane.
Third meaning, most intimately.
For example – He is my best friend.
Fourth meaning, what is most expedient.
Note: “expedient” means “that which serves to promote or advance easily.”
For example – He knows that doing his best on the test won’t be enough for him to pass the course.
Note: “won’t” is the short form of “will not”.
Step 4: Derived words or Related words
- good, better
Step 5: Word forming elements and application examples
None.
Step 6: Collocations
A collocation is the natural connection of words.
Used as an ADJ.
+Noun
friend
My best friend recently died from lung cancer.
interest
I don’t think that deal is in our best interests.
+ADV
ever
My best ever record for running a marathon is 4 hours 32 minutes.
Used as an ADV.
+Verb
buy
It’s best that you buy this during the sale this weekend.
place
Where is the best place to get a decent taco in this town?
Note: “decent taco” means “authentic Mexican tacos.”
suit
He wore his best suit to his brother’s wedding.
describe
How can you best describe the Japanese people?
serve
How can we best serve your delegation next month?
Note: “delegation” means “the act of empower with authority to act for another.”
+ADV
at
He is best at getting to the root of the problem.
Note: “get to the root of” means “be able to understand the main cause.”
as
He believed that he was the best as he always got straight A’s.
Note: “straight A’s” means “the best grades in all your examinations.
Step 7: Commonly used Word Pairings and phrases
best way
The best way to fix this machine is to knock it a few times.
Note: Let’s pay attention to the linking sounds of “knock-it-a.”
best thing
The best thing about that restaurant is its ambiance.
Note: “ambience” means “the mood, atmosphere, or quality of a place.
best for
These sports shoes are best for playing tennis on clay courts.
for best
For the best dumplings in town go to Wang’s Chinese Restaurant.
Note: “dumpling” means “a soft mass of moistened flour or meal, but not yet baked.”
very best
For the very best financial service go to First Bank.
its best
Ask the hotel for its best deal for a single room.
best we can
The best we can do is to deliver in three weeks.
best you can
He said to his son, “Always do the best that you can do.”
best of luck
I’d like to wish you the best of luck tomorrow.
in the best
In the best case, he will get out of the hospital next week.
for the best
For the best pizza in the city go to Sal’s Pizza.
to the best
To the best of my knowledge, he was hired after the crash.
with the best
He played basketball with the best players in the city.
one of the best
He was one of the best swimmers at his University.
make the best
In order to make the best cake, always use natural ingredients.
Note: “ingredient” means “an element; a component.”
by far the best
He is by far the best football player in our league.
Note: “by far” means “by a great amount; a large degree.”
best you can do
Is that the best you can do?
best of my knowledge
To the best of my knowledge, he never graduated from college.
Note: “best of my knowledge” means “as far as I know; you think it to be true but you don’t know all the facts.”
best course of action
I believe the best course of action is to abort the mission.
Note: “abort” means “to fail, cease, or stop at an early or premature stage.”
best in
My son is best in his class at playing checkers.
Note: “checkers” is a classic board game.
best known
Lebron James is the best known basketball player from my hometown.
best that I
I will give it the best that I can do.
best for
These scissors are the best for trimming the flowers in the garden.
Note: “scissors” means “a cutting instrument consisting of two blades with handles.”
at best
I think our chances are very slim at best.
as the best
As the best basketball player on the team, he went confidently to the foul line and sank the winning free throw.
best known for
He is best known for his expertise in oncology.
Note: “Oncology” is the study of cancer and the treatment of tumors
Note: “tumor” also spelled “tumour.”
best I can
This is the best that I can do considering the late request.
one of the best
This is one of the best cars on the road today.
best in the world
He is the best in the world in running the mile.
best I can do
The best I can do is to let you use my phone.
bring out the best
All I want our love to do is to bring out the best in me and in you.
Conclusion
Great job!
You now have mastered the word “best.”