Second Best vs. Second-Best – Which is Correct?

Both second best and second-best are correct, but their roles differ. Write second-best with a hyphen when it comes directly before a noun as a compound adjective: “the second-best score.” Use second best without a hyphen when it follows a verb or acts as a noun: “She finished second best.”

second best or second-best – Which is Correct?

Second best and second-best are not different words or misspellings. They are two forms of the same expression, and the correct choice depends mainly on its position in the sentence.

Use second-best as a hyphenated compound adjective when it appears immediately before a noun. For example, in “the second-best option,” the two words work together to describe option.

Use second best without a hyphen when the phrase follows a verb, functions as a noun, or appears in a comparison. For example, “This option is second best” and “She accepted second best” do not require a hyphen.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the before-a-noun test: if second best comes directly before a noun, connect the words with a hyphen. If it does not directly modify a noun, leave the words open.

Compare these examples:

• He chose the second-best solution. The phrase comes before and describes solution, so it is hyphenated.
• That solution was second best. The phrase follows the linking verb was, so it is not hyphenated.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
second best	Noun phrase, predicate adjective, or adverbial phrase	The person or thing ranked immediately below the best	“The blue design was second best.”
second-best	Compound adjective	Ranked immediately below the best; used before a noun	“She received the second-best score.”

How to Use second best

Second best is written as two separate words when it functions as a noun phrase, follows a linking verb, or appears after an action verb. It can describe a ranking, a choice, or an outcome that is inferior to the best option but better than all remaining alternatives.

This open form is common in both formal and casual English. It is especially useful in sentences such as “The runner finished second best,” “This is second best,” and “I refuse to settle for second best.”

Example 1: The red proposal was second best according to the judging panel.

Example 2: After the preferred supplier declined, the company selected the second best.

Example 3: Although she did not win, she performed second best in the final round.

Etymology of the phrase second best

Second comes from the Latin secundus, meaning “following” or “next.” Best is the superlative form of the Old English adjective god, meaning “good.” The phrase second best developed naturally as a way to identify the person or thing ranked immediately below the best.

How to Use second-best

Second-best is a hyphenated compound adjective used before a noun. The hyphen signals that second and best function together as one descriptive unit. This prevents the reader from having to interpret the words separately.

Use the hyphen in phrases such as the second-best candidate, a second-best result, and the second-best restaurant. In edited, professional writing, the hyphen is the clearest choice when the compound adjective directly precedes its noun.

Example 1: The second-best candidate received a strong recommendation.

Example 2: We booked the second-best hotel in the city.

Example 3: The team earned the second-best record in the league.

Etymology of the compound adjective second-best

Second-best combines the ranking word second with the superlative adjective best. English commonly uses hyphens to join multiple words that act together before a noun, so second-best follows the same compound-modifier pattern as expressions such as high-quality and well-known.

Related Concepts

Understanding compound adjectives and grammatical position makes it easier to decide whether second best needs a hyphen.

• Compound adjective: A compound adjective consists of two or more words that work together to describe a noun. When it appears before the noun, it is often hyphenated, as in second-best result.
• Predicate adjective: A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject. In “The result was second best,” the phrase follows was and normally remains open.
• Superlative adjective: A superlative describes the highest degree or rank, as in best. The expression second best identifies the rank immediately below that highest position.
• Attributive modifier: An attributive modifier appears directly before the noun it describes. This position is why writers use second-best in “the second-best answer.”

Examples from Media and Literature

The expression appears in titles, descriptions, and ordinary commentary. These examples show how the spelling changes according to grammatical position:

• The Second-Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: The film title uses second-best before the noun hotel, so the compound adjective is hyphenated.
• Film and television reviews: A reviewer might write, “The sequel is the second-best entry in the series.” Here, second-best directly modifies entry.
• Sports reporting: A news report might state, “The team finished second best in the tournament.” Because the phrase follows finished, it is written without a hyphen.
• Literary criticism: A critic might describe a character as “the second-best strategist in the novel.” The hyphenated phrase appears before strategist.
• Everyday speech: Someone may say, “I will not accept second best.” Here, second best functions as a noun phrase and remains open.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct form, second best or second-best, to complete each sentence.

1. The judges gave her the __________ score in the competition.
2. Our first choice was unavailable, so we selected the __________.
3. This was the __________ solution available to the committee.
4. Although he lost the final, he performed __________ overall.
5. The company hired the __________ applicant.

Answer Key

1. second-best — It directly modifies score.
2. second best — It functions as a noun phrase.
3. second-best — It directly modifies solution.
4. second best — It follows the verb performed.
5. second-best — It directly modifies applicant.

second best Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Runner-up	The person or team finishing directly behind the winner.
Second-place	Ranked number two in a competition or list; often hyphenated before a noun.
Next-best	The best option remaining after the preferred option.
Inferior	Lower in quality, rank, or value than another option.
Alternative	Another possible choice, especially when the first choice is unavailable.

second-best Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Runner-up	A person or team ranked immediately below the winner.
Second-place	Occupying the number-two position in a contest or ranking.
Next-best	The strongest choice after the best or preferred one.
Near-top	Located close to the highest position in a ranking.
Outstanding alternative	A very strong substitute for the leading choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “second best” one word?
No. It is written as two words when it functions as a noun phrase or follows a verb. For example, write “She finished second best” and “I will not accept second best.”

Question 2: When should “second-best” be hyphenated?
Use second-best when the expression directly precedes and modifies a noun, as in “the second-best proposal” or “a second-best finish.”

Question 3: Is “second best” grammatically correct?
Yes. Second best is correct when it does not directly modify a following noun. The hyphenated form is also correct in the appropriate position.

Question 4: Should I write “second-best option” or “second best option”?
Write second-best option. The compound adjective comes immediately before the noun option, so the hyphen clarifies that second and best belong together.

Conclusion

Both second best and second-best are correct. Use the open form when the phrase follows a verb or acts as a noun, and use the hyphenated form before a noun: the second-best choice but the choice was second best. Pro Tip: Applying this distinction consistently gives professional writing a cleaner, more polished appearance.