second best
"Second best" indicates something or someone that is highly regarded but not the top choice.
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Definition
B2General
(common)The person or thing ranked immediately below the best in quality, performance, or achievement.
Example
- The team has the second-best record in the league.
- She was the second-best student in her class.
B2General
(common, idiomatic)The next most desirable option after the first choice, often implying a compromise.
Example
- He won't settle for second best.
- After missing the promotion, she had to accept the second-best offer.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "second best":
third bestfirst bestsecond to nonethird placesecond bananasecond fiddlenumber twobest ofsilver medalsecond stringtop tierhalfway decentfirst choice