next-best
Definition
Adjective: - Second-best: "next-best" refers to the option or choice that is the most favorable after the best possible one; the second in order of quality, suitability, or effectiveness.
Usage Examples
- (The candidate who was second in ranking after the best one.)
- (The option that is second-best in quality.)
- (The competitor who finishes second.)
Advanced Usage
- "the next-best thing": a phrase used to describe something that is almost as good as the ideal or original item, often used in comparisons.
- Since fresh strawberries are out of season, frozen ones are the next-best thing. (Frozen strawberries are the closest substitute to fresh ones.)
Variants and Related Words
- Next (adj/adv): coming immediately after in time, order, or position.
- The next train arrives in ten minutes. (The train after the current one.)
- Best (adj/adv): of the most excellent, effective, or desirable type or quality.
- She is the best student in the class. (The most excellent student.)
Synonyms
- Second-best: the option that is inferior only to the best.
- He had to settle for the second-best offer. (The offer that is not the best but still acceptable.)
- Runner-up: a competitor or team finishing in second place.
- She was the runner-up in the spelling bee. (The second-place finisher.)
Related Idioms
- Second fiddle: a subordinate or less important role.
- He was tired of playing second fiddle to his more charismatic colleague. (He was tired of being in a less important position.)
- Close second: a result or position that is almost, but not quite, the best.
- Her performance was a close second to the winner's. (Very nearly the best.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Come next: to follow in order or rank.
- After the champion, the runner-up comes next in the rankings. (The runner-up follows immediately after the champion.)