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
Not for leading Tennessee to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance and a 10-3 record — tying for the Volunteers’ second-best finish since 2001. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Black ran for 33 yards on eight carries, showing off the burst and decisive running that made Kyle Shanahan like him enough to call him the second-best running back in April’s draft. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
April is historically the second best performing month for the S & P 500 and only trails behind November, according to the Stock Trader’s Almanac. — Itzel Franco, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026 Surprisingly, the control group that received just water was doing second best, with the stems still standing stiff and only the outer petals showing a few signs of wilting. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 13 Feb. 2026
Adverb
That's the second best-performing sector of the year behind energy, which has soared 34%. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026 In three meetings with the East Yorkshire club this season, Phil Parkinson’s side have been distinctly second best. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 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

Rhymes for second-best

See All Rhymes for second-best

Browse Nearby Words

second baseman
second-best
second best
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Second-best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-best. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

second-best

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