# bestseller

/ˈbɛˈsɛɫɝ/ (US) · /bɛstsˈɛlɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bestseller
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a book or other product that sells in very large numbers. You use this to describe something that many people are buying right now.

For teachers: a product, particularly a book, that features on a list of top sales for a specific period.

## Examples

- Her new novel became an instant bestseller.
- The biography reached the top of the bestseller list just two weeks after its official release.
- While critical acclaim is often the goal for literary fiction, many authors prioritize the commercial success required to secure a spot on the national bestseller rankings.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'bestseller list' or 'bestseller status'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.