best (bĕst)

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[Middle English, from Old English betst.]

adjective 

1. Surpassing all others in excellence, achievement, or quality; most excellent: the best performer; the best grade of ore.
2. Most satisfactory, suitable, or useful; most desirable: the best solution; the best time for planting.
3. Greatest; most: He spoke for the best part of an hour.
4. Most highly skilled: the best doctor in town.

adverb 

1. In a most excellent way; most creditably or advantageously.
2. To the greatest degree or extent; most: “He was certainly the best hated man in the ship” (W. Somerset Maugham)

noun 

1. One that surpasses all others.
2. The best part, moment, or value: The best is still to come. Let's get the best out of life.
3. The optimum condition or quality: look your best. She was at her best in the freestyle competition.
4. One's nicest or most formal clothing.
5. The supreme effort one can make: doing our best.
6. One's warmest wishes or regards: Give them my best.

transitive verb: best·ed, best·ing, bests. 

To get the better of; beat: “I'm a rough customer, I expect, but I know when I'm bested” (Nathanael West)

idioms

at best

Interpreted most favorably; at the most: no more than 40 people at best in attendance. Under the most favorable conditions: has a top speed of 20 miles per hour at best.

for the best

With an ultimately positive or preferable result.

get the best of

To outdo or outwit; defeat: My opponent got the best of me in the debate.

make the best of

Accept (a bad situation) in as good a light as possible.

usage note

Usage Note: According to a traditional rule of grammar, better, not best, should be used in comparisons between two things: Which house of Congress has the better attendance record? This rule is often ignored in practice, but it still has many devoted adherents. In certain fixed expressions, however, best is used idiomatically for comparisons between two: Put your best foot forward. May the best team win! See Usage Note at: have See Usage Note at: rather

good (gŏŏd)

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[Middle English, from Old English gōd.]

adjective: bet·ter (bĕt́ər), best (bĕst) 

1. Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor: a good experience; good news from the hospital.
2. 1. Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing: a good exterior paint; a good joke.
   2. Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable: Is this a good dress for the party?
3. 1. Not spoiled or ruined: The milk is still good.
   2. In excellent condition; sound: a good tooth.
4. 1. Superior to the average; satisfactory: a good student.
   2. Used formerly to refer to the U.S. Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
5. 1. Of high quality: good books.
   2. Discriminating: good taste.
6. Worthy of respect; honorable: ruined the family's good name.
7. Attractive; handsome: good looks.
8. Beneficial to health; salutary: a good night's rest.
9. Competent; skilled: a good machinist.
10. Complete; thorough: a good workout.
11. 1. Reliable; sure: a good investment.
    2. Valid or true: a good reason.
    3. Genuine; real: a good dollar bill.
12. 1. In effect; operative: a warranty good for two years; a driver's license that is still good.
    2. Able to continue in a specified activity: I'm good for another round of golf.
13. 1. Able to pay or contribute: Is she good for the money that you lent her?
    2. Able to elicit a specified reaction: He is always good for a laugh.
14. 1. Ample; substantial: a good income.
    2. Bountiful: a good table.
15. Full: It is a good mile from here.
16. 1. Pleasant; enjoyable: had a good time at the party.
    2. Propitious; favorable: good weather; a good omen.
17. 1. Of moral excellence; upright: a good person.
    2. Benevolent; kind: a good soul; a good heart.
    3. Loyal; staunch: a good Republican.
18. 1. Well-behaved; obedient: a good child.
    2. Socially correct; proper: good manners.
19. Sports
    1. Landing within bounds or within a particular area of a court and therefore in play: The first serve was wide, but the second was good.
    2. Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.
20. Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay: Good heavens! Good grief!

noun 

1. 1. Something that is good.
   2. A good, valuable, or useful part or aspect.
2. Welfare; benefit: for the common good.
3. Goodness; virtue: There is much good to be found in people.
4. 1. Commodities; wares: frozen goods.
   2. Portable personal property.
   3. Fabric; material.
5. Slang Incriminating information or evidence: tried to get the goods on the crook.

adverb 

Well.

idioms

as good as

Practically; nearly: as good as new.

but good

Informal Used as an intensive: The pipe started to leak but good.

for good

Permanently; forever: I'm moving to Europe for good.

good and

Informal Very; thoroughly: I'll do it when I'm good and ready.

no good

Worthless. Futile; useless: It's no good arguing with them.

to the good

For the best; advantageous. In an advantageous financial position: ended up to the good.

usage note

Usage Note: Good is properly used as an adjective with linking verbs such as be, seem, or appear: The future looks good. The soup tastes good. It should not be used as an adverb with other verbs: The car runs well (not good ). Thus, The dress fits well and looks good. See Usage Note at: well

well² (wĕl)

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[Middle English wel, from Old English.]

adverb: bet·ter (bĕt́ər), best (bĕst) 

1. In a good or proper manner: behaved well.
2. Skillfully or proficiently: dances well.
3. Satisfactorily or sufficiently: slept well.
4. Successfully or effectively: gets along well with people.
5. In a comfortable or affluent manner: lived well.
6. In a manner affording benefit or gain; advantageously: married well.
7. With reason or propriety; reasonably: can't very well say no.
8. In all likelihood; indeed: You may well need your umbrella.
9. In a prudent or sensible manner: You would do well to say nothing more.
10. In a close or familiar manner: knew them well.
11. In a favorable or approving manner: spoke well of them.
12. Thoroughly; completely: well cooked; cooked well.
13. Perfectly; clearly: I well understand your intentions.
14. To a suitable or appropriate degree: This product will answer your needs equally well.
15. To a considerable extent or degree: well over the estimate.
16. With care or attention: listened well.
17. Entirely; fully: well worth seeing.

adjective: better, best. 

1. In a satisfactory condition; right or proper: All is well.
2. 1. Not ailing, infirm, or diseased; healthy. See synonyms at healthy
   2. Cured or healed, as a wound.
   3. Of or characterized by the maintenance of good health practices. Often used in combination: a well-baby clinic; a well-child visit to the doctor.
3. 1. Advisable; prudent: It would be well not to ask.
   2. Fortunate; good: It is well that you stayed.

interjection 

1. Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation.
2. Used to express surprise.

idioms

as well

In addition; also: mentioned other matters as well. With equal effect: I might as well go.

in well with

In a position to influence or be favored by: He's in well with management.

usage note

Usage Note: English speakers have used well both as an adjective and as an adverb since Old English times. When applied to people, the adjective well usually refers to a state of health. Like similar adjectives, such as ill and faint, well in this use is normally restricted to the predicate, as in He hasn't been well lately. Well does see occasional use before a noun, as in Benjamin Franklin's “ Poor Dick eats like a well man, and drinks like a sick. ” It also appears in compound adjectives like well-baby, which is well known to pediatricians and recent parents. Good, on the other hand, has a much wider range of senses, including “attractive,” as in He looks good, and “competent,” as in She's pretty good for a beginner, as well as “healthy.” See Usage Note at: good