Talk:best

Should "for the best" have an entry?
Something was for the best if it ultimately turned out well (or will be for the best if it's going to). I can't decide whether that's sum of parts or a unique fixed phrase. Equinox ◑ 00:48, 27 January 2019 (UTC)

It is best avoided
In informal English, I could care less is all but synonymous with I couldn't care less''. However, it is best avoided in writing. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009 What meaning of best is used here? --Backinstadiums (talk) 10:53, 1 April 2020 (UTC)

(it's) best you didn't know
Is this an idiom? didn't here seems to be a subjunctive --Backinstadiums (talk) 17:24, 16 May 2020 (UTC)

One's warmest wishes or regards
Give them my best --Backinstadiums (talk) 17:11, 28 July 2020 (UTC)

[singular] (usually "the best"): the most excellent thing or person
[singular] (usually "the best") the most excellent thing or person: We're the best of friends (= very close friends). Yet, I do not know how to interpret it as a singular thing/person here. --Backinstadiums (talk) 16:57, 21 November 2020 (UTC)


 * The fact that "friends" is plural doesn't mean that "best" has to be plural. Compare: "he is the happiest of men". Clearly the happiest is singular (because only one man can be the happiest), even though men is plural. Equinox ◑ 17:11, 21 November 2020 (UTC)
 * It's entry defines it as either singular or plural. Cf. a similar structure that would use a plural: in the darkest of my nights. --Backinstadiums (talk) 17:17, 21 November 2020 (UTC)


 * "The darkest" is singular, "nights" are plural. Of the plural nights, this singular night is the darkest one. Equinox ◑ 17:19, 21 November 2020 (UTC)
 * does best refer to a thing or to a person in We're the best of friends ? --Backinstadiums (talk) 17:20, 21 November 2020 (UTC)


 * "The best of friends" means the best possible type of friends. So "we are the best of friends" means nobody is better friends than we are. Please try harder. LISTEN, READ THIS AND LISTEN TO ME. You keep asking stupid questions. Think about the obvious meaning before you ask "what is the obvious meaning". Equinox ◑ 23:09, 21 November 2020 (UTC)
 * OED's definition (unlike current Wiktionary's) is

BEST [singular]: the most excellent thing or person so does best refer to a thing (FRIENDSHIP) or to a person (FRIEND) in the (non-idiomatic) We're the best of friends ?

Quirk's page reads 1173 One or two verbs such as make and part can appear with a noun phrase complement, but not with an adjective phrase complement: They parted the best of friends. (In a sentence like They parted friendly once more, friendly once more would be not a complement but a verbless clause) --Backinstadiums (talk) 00:34, 22 November 2020 (UTC)


 * There is a set of friends. Of that set, we are the best: we are the best of friends. Compare: here are some numbers { 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 }. The largest are 8 and 9. Those are the largest. They are the largest of the set. Equinox ◑ 08:42, 22 November 2020 (UTC)

A. The superlative degree of good: "most good" (Goodest, in 17th c. in Dryden, etc., was merely analogical) I. As simple adjective. 1. Of the highest excellence, excelling all others in quality b). Said of things, in respect of their essential qualities: the Pearch‥. and the Pike are‥. the best of fresh water fish. https://oed.com/oed2/00020981 (MOST) Adverb B1. As a superlative of comparison: in the greatest degree; to the greatest extent. b) Prefixed to an adj. or adv. to form the superl.: [...] turn the peaceable civilians into the most dogged of fighters, the most dangerous of enemies. https://oed.com/oed2/00020981

For OED it's an adjective, but for OALD it's a SINGULAR noun, so unless (the) best of friends is an idiom... --Backinstadiums (talk) 09:36, 22 November 2020 (UTC)

His last movie was best of all
What meaning is used in His last movie was best of all? --Backinstadiums (talk) 22:04, 21 November 2020 (UTC)


 * @Backinstadiums I think that's just the superlative form of good. Equivalent to, "his last movie was so good that it was better than any of his other movies". - excarnateSojourner (talk | contrib) 20:31, 6 March 2022 (UTC)