best
UK: bɛst | US: bɛst
adj. of the highest quality, excellence, or standing
adj. most suitable, advantageous, or desirable
adv. to the highest degree; most
n. the finest or most superior example of something
The word "best" originates from Old English betst, the superlative form of gōd ("good"). It combines the comparative root bet- (related to "better") with the superlative suffix -st, a pattern common in Germanic languages. Over time, betst simplified to "best," retaining its core meaning of "of the highest quality." The logic mirrors other Germanic superlatives (e.g., "strongest"), where suffixes intensify the root.
She is the best candidate for the job.
This is the best coffee I’ve ever tasted.
He performed his best under pressure.
The team gave their best effort in the final game.
Out of all the options, this one works best.