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
The Eagles could have the second-best record in the conference and finish with the fifth seed, just as the Minnesota Vikings did last season if the Commanders go on to win the division. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 LeBron James is broadly viewed as the best, or second-best, player in the history of basketball, with only Michael Jordan competing for the title of GOAT - Greatest Of All-Time. Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
The second best performing sector in 2025 has been consumer staples, and the tobacco group has shown strong performance going back to mid-2024. David Keller, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2025 The Rams defense has not been great of late but has only given up seven plays of 20 or more yards (second best) the last four weeks. Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Second-best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-best. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

second-best

adjective
: next to the best
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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