best
Very; most — as in you best be careful.
Also called had best.
Updated September 21, 2026
best pronunciation
/best/
Meaning
In Southern and Appalachian speech, best often works like had better. You best get in means you ought to, soon. It can still mean the prize-winning kind of best when it ranks something.
How folks use it
- “You best get in before it storms.”
- “I best be going before dark.”
Origin and etymology
Related to the older advice pattern you had best. Southern speech often shortens it to you best. Separate from ranking something as the best of the lot, though the spelling matches.