best fit
Most suitable choice
Best fit describes the option that most closely matches requirements or data, even if imperfect.
In statistics, a line of best fit is drawn through scattered data points to show the overall trend.
More broadly, best fit applies to any situation where you're choosing among imperfect matches: We hired the candidate who was the best fit for the team.
The phrase acknowledges that ideal matches are rare—you optimize rather than perfect.
- optimalMost desirable outcome
- matchGame between opponents
- idealStandard of perfection
- just rightExactly as needed
- snugComfortably close-fitting
perfect match · like a glove · tailored · suited · perfect · alignment · custom · contour · mold · sizing · size up · compatible · seamless · hugging · precise · calibrated · adjusted · measured
- Graphingaxis, x-axis, y-axis, coordinate, coordinates
- regressionlinear regression, least squares, residuals, residual, r-squared
- Simplificationsideal gas, frictionless, point source, rigid body, blackbody
- memory managementbuffer, free, heap, stack, allocation
- numerical methodsbisection, interpolation, Gaussian elimination, least squares, convergence
- packing problemscargo loading, palletization
best fitcompromise
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
settling · last resort · stopgap · forced choice · square peg in a round hole
best fitoverfitting
Excess adaptation to samples
underfitting · systematic error · outlier · deviation · noise
best fitmismatch
Incompatible combination
misfit · incompatible · ill-suited · wrong fit · loose fit
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