best
/best/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛst] /best/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɛst] /ˈbest/ (ame, mw)
best — adjective
- bestpositive
- bestercomparative
- bestestsuperlative
1. better than every other choice in quality, usefulness, or pleasure in a particul
better than every other choice in quality, usefulness, or pleasure in a particular situation.
Reuben picked the best seat near the stage before the hall filled up.
the best + noun for the top choice
After reviewing the scans, the surgeon chose the best treatment for Indra.
choose the best + noun after comparison
For our picnic, this shaded corner is the best place to sit.
Sunday turned out to be the best day of our Tainan trip.
文法句型
the best + noun
be the best + noun
用法筆記
Usually takes 'the' before a noun. After a linking verb, it can mean either most suitable or most enjoyable, depending on the context.
常見錯誤
best — adverb
1. so that the result is as good or useful as possible, or more than with any other
so that the result is as good or useful as possible, or more than with any other choice.
This camera works best in bright morning light by the river.
works best + setting
Of the three sketches, Hamza liked the blue poster best.
like + object + best
The old temple is best viewed from the hill across the river.
Our team communicates best when everyone keeps notes in one file.
- most successfully
fits results or performance more than preference
- most effectively
stresses practical success
- most
can replace best after some verbs of liking or preference
文法句型
verb + best
best + past participle
用法筆記
Common after verbs such as like, know, fit, remember, and work. It also appears before past participles in patterns such as 'best known' and 'best seen'.
常見錯誤
2. to the highest standard you can manage when the conditions are difficult or limi
to the highest standard you can manage when the conditions are difficult or limited.
Sofie copied the faded address as best she could from the envelope.
as best + subject + could
During the blackout, Paloma guided patients downstairs as best she could.
Nikhil explained the map as best he could over the crackling phone.
With no recipe, Christopher seasoned the soup as best he could.
- as well as possible
closest neutral paraphrase
- as well as one can
more formal and general
文法句型
verb + as best + subject + can/could
用法筆記
Usually follows the main verb and is most common with can or could. It emphasizes effort under imperfect conditions, not perfect success.
常見錯誤
best — noun
1. the person or thing that stands above all the others in a group.
the person or thing that stands above all the others in a group.
Out of twelve mangoes, Nkechi chose the best for her grandmother.
the best used alone as a noun
The coach said Marta was the best on the team at reading the game.
the best on the team
Our guide reserved the best room in the guesthouse for the elders.
Paloma only buys the best for her rescue dogs.
- winner
best when someone comes first in a contest
- top choice
best for things selected from options
- standout
informal; stresses noticeable superiority
- worst
direct opposite for the lowest-ranked person or thing
文法句型
the best
one of the best
用法筆記
Often appears with a clear group in mind, even if the group is not repeated in the sentence. It can refer to either a person or a thing.
常見錯誤
2. the strongest, happiest, or most successful state or performance that someone or
the strongest, happiest, or most successful state or performance that someone or something reaches.
The choir was at its best in the final song tonight.
at its best
Indra is not at her best before the first cup of tea.
not at one's best
After months of training, Mark set a personal best in the 400 metres.
That newsroom did its best work during the flood emergency.
文法句型
at one's best
personal best
do one's best work
用法筆記
Use this sense for someone's top form, a peak version of something, or a record-setting result. Distinguish it from sense 1, which names the top person or thing itself.
常見錯誤
best — verb
- bestpresent simple I / you / we / they
- bests3rd person singular
- besting-ing form
- bestedpast simple
1. to beat another person or team by doing better in a fight, game, debate, or othe
to beat another person or team by doing better in a fight, game, debate, or other contest.
Dylan bested the defending champion in a tense final round.
bested + opponent in a contest
In the debate, Camille bested the mayor with calmer answers and clearer facts.
The small robotics club bested three larger schools at the regional contest.
Allison nearly bested her older brother in chess after six months.
- lose to
opposite when you fail against the other side
文法句型
best someone
best someone at something
用法筆記
More formal and less common than 'beat'. It usually appears in writing about contests, debates, or strategic competition.