best friend

noun

plural best friends

1

: a person's closest and dearest friend

She's my best friend.

We have been best friends since high school.

2

: a person's most desirable or valuable possession or resource

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but gold is more affordable.

—William Giese

Lycra-cotton leggings and tunic tops are the pregnant woman's best friend, sartorially speaking.

—Anne Reeks

When cops bang on the door, the toilet is a drug dealer's best friend.

—Frederick Kaufman

Examples of best friend in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Or when our best friends on Earth compare Trump's approach in Europe to Nazi appeasement? —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

Jamie Lee Curtis plays a fellow Vegas veteran and Shelly’s best friend, Annette. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025

My best friend Aliza, a tour designer at Artisans of Leisure, crafted the perfect itinerary for our group of four with just enough activities. —Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2025

My last chance to tell my best friend about my day as a dribble of toothpaste rolls down my fragile chin? —John Hodgman, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing best friend

• man's best friend

Rhymes for best friend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend