Bestest vs. Best — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Sumaia Saeed — By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on April 17, 2024
"Bestest" is the incorrect spelling of "best." "Best" means most excellent or desirable.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Bestest or Best
How to spell Best?
Bestest
Incorrect Spelling
Best
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of other superlatives like "greatest" or "tallest," which don't double the suffix.
Associate "best" with awards and high quality, which are typically not exaggerated with additional suffixes.
Use mnemonic: "Best needs no test," to recall that no extra letters are needed beyond "best."
"Best" is already the superlative form of "good," so adding "est" is redundant.
Remember that "best" is a standard dictionary word, whereas "bestest" is often flagged as incorrect in spell checks.
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How Do You Spell Best Correctly?
Incorrect: She said that was the bestest performance she's seen.
Correct: She said that was the best performance she's seen.
Incorrect: That movie is the bestest one I've ever watched.
Correct: That movie is the best one I've ever watched.
Incorrect: He's my bestest friend in the whole world.
Correct: He's my best friend in the whole world.
Incorrect: I need to find the bestest solution to this problem.
Correct: I need to find the best solution to this problem.
Incorrect: This is the bestest day ever!
Correct: This is the best day ever!
Best Definitions
Most excellent, effective, or desirable type or quality.
He's at his best when he's calm.
Most suitable, advantageous, or well advised.
It's best to avoid arguments.
Outdoing all others in a competition.
She won the race, proving she's the best.
Of the most excellent or desirable type or quality
How to obtain the best results from your machine
The best midfielder in the country
Her best black suit
To the highest degree; most (used with verbs suggesting a desirable action or state or a successful outcome)
Well-drained soil suits this plant best
You knew him best
They named the pictures they liked best
That which is the most excellent, outstanding, or desirable
This film represents the best of mainstream popular cinema
Buy the best you can afford
Sarah always had to be the best at everything
Outwit or get the better of (someone)
She refused to allow herself to be bested
Surpassing all others in excellence, achievement, or quality; most excellent
The best performer.
The best grade of ore.
Most satisfactory, suitable, or useful; most desirable
The best solution.
The best time for planting.
Greatest; most
He spoke for the best part of an hour.
Most highly skilled
The best doctor in town.
In a most excellent way; most creditably or advantageously.
To the greatest degree or extent; most
"He was certainly the best hated man in the ship" (W. Somerset Maugham).
One that surpasses all others.
The best part, moment, or value
The best is still to come. Let's get the best out of life.
The optimum condition or quality
Look your best. She was at her best in the freestyle competition.
One's nicest or most formal clothing.
The supreme effort one can make
Doing our best.
One's warmest wishes or regards
Give them my best.
To get the better of; beat
"I'm a rough customer, I expect, but I know when I'm bested" (Nathanael West).
Most; largest.
Unpacking took the best part of a week.
Most superior; most favorable.
In my opinion, mushrooms are the best pizza toppings.
To the most advantage; with the most success, cause, profit, benefit, or propriety.
(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.
(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.
(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.
To surpass in skill or achievement.
(transitive) To beat in a contest.
Had best.
It's getting late. You best get on home.
Having good qualities in the highest degree; most good, kind, desirable, suitable, etc.; most excellent; as, the best man; the best road; the best cloth; the best abilities.
When he is best, he is a little worse than a man.
Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight.
Most advanced; most correct or complete; as, the best scholar; the best view of a subject.
Most; largest; as, the best part of a week.
Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action; as, to do one's best; to the best of our ability.
In the highest degree; beyond all others.
He prayeth best, who loveth bestAll things both great and small.
To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety.
Had we best retire? I see a storm.
Had I not best go to her?
Most intimately; most thoroughly or correctly; as, what is expedient is best known to himself.
To get the better of.
The supreme effort one can make;
They did their best
The person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others;
He could beat the best of them
Canadian physiologist (born in the United States) who assisted F. G. Banting in research leading to the discovery of insulin (1899-1978)
Get the better of;
The goal was to best the competition
(superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities;
The best film of the year
The best solution
The best time for planting
Wore his best suit
(comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable;
It would be better to speak to him
The White House thought it best not to respond
In a most excellent way or manner;
He played best after a couple of martinis
It would be sensible;
You'd best stay at home
From a position of superiority or authority;
Father knows best
I know better.
Most enjoyable or satisfactory.
That meal was the best.
Most proficient or skilled.
He's the best player on the team.
Best Meaning in a Sentence
He made the best cake for the party.
The best part of my day is playing outside.
This book is the best one I've read all year.
I wish you the best for your new job.
She handles problems with the best attitude.
Our team played the best game of the season today.
The best way to learn is by practicing.
He always looks for the best in people.
The best thing about summers is going to the beach.
That was the best speech I've ever heard.
The best students were awarded scholarships.
She always does her best on exams.
He gives the best advice when you need help.
The best route to the park is through the main road.
They offer the best prices on electronics.
The best advice I ever received was to stay true to myself.
It's best to be honest in every situation.
The best songs come from personal experiences.
The best lessons come from difficult experiences.
That’s the best solution to the problem so far.
I hope for the best outcomes in all my endeavors.
We had the best time at the festival.
The best memories are those spent with friends.
She found the best spot to watch the sunset.
She always tries her best, no matter the challenge.
Best Idioms & Phrases
Best foot forward
To try as hard as possible to make a good impression.
Put your best foot forward in the interview.
Best kept secret
Something very good that not many people know about.
This little restaurant is the town's best kept secret.
Best in class
The highest current performance level in an industry.
Their new model is best in class.
Best of both worlds
A situation where one can enjoy two different opportunities.
Working part-time and studying is the best of both worlds.
Best practice
A method or technique acknowledged as the most effective.
Following these guidelines is considered best practice.
All the best
A phrase used to wish someone good luck.
All the best on your new job!
To the best of one's ability
As well as one can.
He completed the task to the best of his ability.
Make the best of
To manage as well as possible in unfavorable circumstances.
They made the best of the situation during the blackout.
Best bet
The most advantageous choice.
Taking the train is your best bet to avoid traffic.
Best seller
A book or other product that sells in very large numbers.
Her novel was a best seller for over ten weeks.
Best man
The chief male assistant to a bridegroom at a wedding.
He was the best man at his brother's wedding.
Best thing since sliced bread
A good invention or innovation; a good idea or plan.
She thinks that this new app is the best thing since sliced bread.
Sunday best
One's finest or most formal clothes, traditionally worn to church.
Everyone wore their Sunday best to the wedding.
Best-laid plans
Well-thought-out arrangements which can still go wrong.
Even the best-laid plans can fail.
At best
Under the most favorable interpretation.
His efforts were awkward, amateurish at best.
Look your best
To appear as attractive or good as possible.
She always looks her best for interviews.
Best of the best
The very best; nothing better.
In this competition, you're seeing the best of the best compete.
Best interests
The most beneficial terms or actions for someone.
The lawyer acted in the best interests of her client.
Best of friends
Very close friends.
They have been the best of friends since kindergarten.
Do one's level best
To do one's utmost; try very hard.
I did my level best to get everything done on time.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called best?
The word "best" comes from the Old English "betst," meaning "first, in the highest degree," and is related to the word "better."
How is best used in a sentence?
"Best" is often used as an adjective to describe something of the highest quality. e.g., She always does her best.
How many syllables are in best?
The word "best" has one syllable.
What is a stressed syllable in best?
In the word "best," the single syllable is stressed.
What is the pronunciation of best?
"Best" is pronounced as /bɛst/.
What is the verb form of best?
"Best" is primarily an adjective or adverb. As a verb, "to best" means to defeat someone in a competition.
What is the second form of best?
For the verb, the second form is "bested."
How do we divide best into syllables?
Since "best" has only one syllable, it is not divided.
What is the third form of best?
For the verb, the third form is also "bested."
What is the first form of best?
As an adjective, "best" itself is the form used. As a verb, the first form is "best," meaning to outdo or defeat.
What is the plural form of best?
"Best" does not change in plural form.
What is the root word of best?
The root word of "best" is the Old English "betst."
What part of speech is best?
"Best" is an adjective when describing quality, and an adverb when modifying actions. It can also be a verb.
Is best an abstract noun?
"Best" is not typically used as a noun; thus, it is neither a concrete nor abstract noun.
Is the best term a metaphor?
The term "best" can be used metaphorically in phrases such as "put your best foot forward."
Is the word “best” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Best" does not function as a direct or indirect object.
Is best an adverb?
Yes, "best" can also function as an adverb.
What is another term for best?
Another term for "best" could be "optimal" or "supreme."
Is the word best a Gerund?
No, "best" cannot function as a gerund.
Which conjunction is used with best?
Conjunctions are not specifically used with "best."
What is the opposite of best?
The opposite of "best" is "worst."
Is best a negative or positive word?
"Best" is a positive word, indicating the highest quality or degree.
Is best a vowel or consonant?
"Best" starts with the consonant "b."
Is best a countable noun?
"Best" is not used as a noun; thus, it is neither countable nor uncountable.
Which vowel is used before best?
Typically, any vowel can be used before "best," depending on the context.
Which article is used with best?
The definite article "the" is commonly used with "best," as in "the best."
What is the singular form of best?
"Best" is both singular and plural in its use as an adjective and adverb.
Is best a noun or adjective?
"Best" can be an adjective, adverb, and verb, but it is not commonly used as a noun.
Is best a collective noun?
No, "best" is not a collective noun.
Is the word best imperative?
"Best" is not typically used in an imperative form.
Which determiner is used with best?
Determiners such as "the" are commonly used with "best," as in "the best."
Which preposition is used with best?
Common prepositions used with "best" include "at" (at best) and "in" (in the best way).
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Sumaia Saeed
