second-best

1 of 3

adjective

sec·​ond-best ˌse-kən(d)-ˈbest How to pronounce second-best (audio)
-kᵊŋ-
: next to the best

second best

2 of 3

noun

: one that is below or after the best

second best

3 of 3

adverb

: in second place

Examples of second-best in a Sentence

Noun He won't settle for second best.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Prior to their loss to the Eagles, the Ravens were averaging 30.2 points per game, the second-best mark in the league. Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 It’s been a different story on the other side of the ball though with the Ravens having one of the worst passing defenses in the league but the second-best run defense while the Eagles have allowed the second-fewest passing yards and the sixth-fewest rushing yards. Ben Morse, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
As far as Tuesdays in November go, the Jon M. Chu directed title looks to be the second best currently behind Disney’s Frozen 2 which did $20.7M on Nov. 26, 2019. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2024 But somewhat surprisingly, that still leaves them second best. Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 22 Apr. 2024
Adverb
Among the challenges for the second best-selling female artist of all time? Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023 When the year wrapped, Red was the second best-selling LP of 2012 with 3.11 million, following Adele's 21. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 18 June 2021 See all Example Sentences for second-best 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1647, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of second-best was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near second-best

second base

second-best

second best

Cite this Entry

“Second-best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-best. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

second-best

adjective
: next to the best
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!