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best wishes

/bɛst ˈwɪʃɪz/
phrase★Intermediate— good luck and positive thoughts
formalinformal

A polite expression of goodwill, hope, or positive thoughts for someone's success, happiness, or well-being.

Please accept my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

This is a common way to express hope for someone's health to improve quickly.

The card included best wishes for the couple's future together.

This phrase is often used in wedding or anniversary greetings.

💡

This phrase is commonly used in greetings, cards, and messages to convey support and goodwill.

Collocations

send best wishesto express goodwill or positive thoughts to someoneextend best wishesto formally convey goodwill or congratulations

Synonyms

good luckgood fortunegood tidingskind regards

Antonyms

ill wishesbad luckcondolences

Related Phrases

wishing you wellphrase
expressing hope for someone's happiness or success
all the bestphrase
a shorter version of 'best wishes'

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Use

Use 'best wishes' in formal settings like business emails or formal letters. For informal contexts, 'all the best' or 'wishing you well' may be more appropriate.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

While 'best wishes' is polite, using it too frequently can make it sound generic. Personalize your message when possible.

📖Word Origin

The phrase combines 'best' (superlative of 'good') and 'wishes' (expressions of hope or desire), forming a common English expression of goodwill.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, such as letters, emails, speeches, and social media messages.

Word Breakdown

best
superlative form of 'good', indicating the highest quality or degree
root
+
wishes
expressions of hope or desire for someone's well-being
root
English Dictionary

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