bestest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bestest" is not considered correct in standard written English, as it is a nonstandard superlative form of "best." It is typically used in informal contexts, often by children or in playful language, to emphasize something as the very best.
Example: "That was the bestest birthday party ever!"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

From the world of TV, there'll be the Zany ZingZillas, who will be monkeying around on the main stage, joined by Charlie & Lola's Best Bestest play.

Independent

Truly humbled by your messages of support Nothing but the bestest of English to @DylanHartley on his appointment as @EnglandRugby captain.

Independent

Along with "love," she'd often sign off, "bestest," or "bestest always".

The New York Times

But threaten to spoil Christmas — sabotage Santa's sleigh, hold a gun to a carton of eggnog — and you are guaranteed drama, tears, miracles, the bestest Christmas ever, God bless us every one, except Charlie Brown, that blockhead — but no, him too!

The New York Times - Books

Junie's diction is characterized by an imperfect grasp of English grammar: she favors superlatives like "bestest" and "funnest" and past tenses like "runned" and "thinked".

The New York Times - Arts

Williams later walked into her news conference wearing a red T-shirt that read, "Bestest Ever".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

And the best?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"He's one of the best I've seen.

The Guardian - Sport

My dream is to become one of the best sprinters in the world but I don't see how that can happen now.

The Guardian

A film adaptation was released in 1971, and the show placed fourth in a BBC poll to find Britain's best sitcom in 2004.

The Guardian - Film

Although there was disappointment that neither Mike Leigh's much-fancied Topsy-Turvy, Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mr Ripley, nor Neil Jordan's The End of the Affair made it into the frame for best picture, the Brits did well overall.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using "bestest". Opt for "best" or "very best" to maintain credibility and clarity. Reserve "bestest" for informal conversations or creative writing where dialect or character voice is important.

Common error

Avoid using double superlatives. "Best" is already a superlative, so adding "-est" is redundant and grammatically incorrect. Use "best" or rephrase using "very best" or "absolute best".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bestest" is as a superlative adjective, although it's a non-standard form. It aims to intensify the quality of being "best". Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage mainly in informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bestest" is a non-standard superlative adjective used to emphasize the quality of being the best, often with a playful or endearing tone. While common in informal speech and some creative writing, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect for formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it appears mostly in news and media sources aiming for a casual tone. For formal writing, it's best to use alternatives like "very best" or "absolute best" to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very best

Replaces the non-standard superlative with a more conventional intensifier.

absolute best

Emphasizes the superlative nature using "absolute".

dearest

Substitutes "bestest" in contexts where it expresses affection.

most excellent

Offers a more formal and emphatic superlative.

greatest

Provides a standard superlative adjective.

top-notch

Uses an informal term for high quality.

finest

Employs a classic superlative adjective.

number one

Replaces a superlative with a ranking.

ultimate

Offers a modern superlative.

best of all

Uses a longer phrase to express the superlative.

FAQs

Is "bestest" grammatically correct?

No, "bestest" is not grammatically correct in standard English. "Best" is already the superlative form of "good". "Bestest" is considered a non-standard or informal usage.

When is it appropriate to use "bestest"?

The term "bestest" is generally appropriate only in informal contexts such as casual conversations, when speaking to children, or in creative writing where you're aiming for a playful or dialectal effect. In formal writing, use "very best" or "absolute best" instead.

What are some alternatives to using "bestest"?

Instead of "bestest", you can use alternatives like "very best", "greatest", or "most excellent" to express a superlative degree in a grammatically standard way.

How does using "bestest" affect the tone of writing?

Using "bestest" gives your writing an informal, playful, and sometimes childish tone. It can create a sense of endearment or lightheartedness. However, it may also detract from the credibility of your writing in formal or professional contexts.