# bestselling

/ˈbɛˈsɛɫɪŋ/ (US) · /bɛstsˈɛlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bestselling
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

describing a book or other product that has sold a very large number of copies. You use this to talk about things that are extremely popular with buyers.

For teachers: referring to a commercial product, particularly a book, that has achieved a high volume of sales relative to others in its category. Typically used attributively before a noun.

## Examples

- She is a bestselling author of mystery novels.
- The bookstore dedicated an entire front window display to the latest bestselling biography of the tech mogul.
- While critical acclaim often eludes genre fiction, many bestselling titles manage to bridge the gap by combining accessible prose with profound social commentary that resonates with a global audience.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the most bestselling book" but "the bestselling book" — Bestselling is often treated as a superlative itself; adding 'most' is redundant in standard usage.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the noun it modifies; often written as one word, though occasionally hyphenated as 'best-selling'.

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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.