finest

IPA/ˈfaɪ.nɪst/
KK[fˈaɪnəst]IPA/ˈfaɪ.nɪst/

finest — noun

1. the most outstanding members or examples of a particular group, category, or col

1.名詞B2
釋義

the most outstanding members or examples of a particular group, category, or collection — for instance, the finest wines from a vineyard, the finest minds in a field, or the finest works of a writer.

例句

The gallery curator selected only the finest of the artist's early drawings for the retrospective.

the finest of [group] — superlative subset within a collection

Kwame's essay was judged one of the finest submitted in the national competition.

one of the finest + past participle

同義詞
  • best

    wider range; 'finest' carries a stronger connotation of quality, artistry, or refinement

  • cream

    informal, often in 'the cream of the crop'; less formal than 'finest'

  • elite

    focuses on social or professional status rather than quality of the thing itself

反義詞
  • worst

    direct opposite in quality ranking

文法句型

the finest of [group]

[possessive] finest

用法筆記

Always plural; refers to the entire set of most outstanding items or people, not a single one. Use 'one of the finest' for a singular referent. Typically followed by 'of [group]' or a relative clause.

常見錯誤

❌She is a finest in her field.
✅She is one of the finest in her field.
💡'finest' is plural; use 'one of the finest' for a single person.

2. a city's police force, referred to as a way of praising its members as the best

2.名詞C1
釋義

a city's police force, referred to as a way of praising its members as the best people the city has to offer.

例句

New York's finest arrived at the bank within three minutes of the silent alarm.

[city]'s finest — fixed phrase for police

The mayor thanked the city's finest for their work during the hurricane evacuation.

同義詞

文法句型

[city/possessive] + finest

用法筆記

Almost always preceded by a city or possessive noun (the city's finest, New York's finest). Can refer to the force collectively (plural verb) or to individual officers. This is a set phrase largely restricted to US English; other varieties prefer 'police' or 'force'.

常見錯誤

❌The finest is investigating the case.
✅The city's finest are investigating the case.
💡use the possessive, and treat as plural.