second best

English

Alternative forms

• second-best

Adjective

second best (not comparable)

1. Inferior to the best (but better than other alternatives).
2. (economics) Characterized by one or more optimality conditions not being satisfiable.

Noun

second best (plural second bests)

1. Something (or someone) that is inferior to the best (but better than other alternatives).
   • 1956, Anthony Burgess, Time for a Tiger (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 38:

     And so makeshift and second-best have continued.

   • 1970, Johnny Christopher, Mark James, Wayne Carson (lyrics and music), “Always On My Mind”, performed by Brenda Lee:

     If I made you feel second best / Well I'm sorry I was blind

2. (economics) A situation where one or more optimality conditions cannot be satisfied.

Related terms

• come off second best
• third best

See also

• first loser