The phrase “best wishes” is one of the most commonly used expressions in English emails, letters, and messages.
It conveys goodwill, positivity, and a polite closing sentiment.
However, relying solely on “best wishes” can sometimes sound repetitive or overly generic, especially in professional or academic communication.
Choosing the right alternative matters because word choice affects tone, clarity, and professionalism.
Using varied expressions can help you sound more natural, confident, and culturally aware in emails, essays, business correspondence, and casual conversation.
For example, in a formal email, you might write:
“Best regards, Sarah”
In contrast, an informal text to a friend could be:
“Take care! – Sarah”
This shows how adapting your closing phrase can fit the context and improve communication.
What Does “Best Wishes” Mean?
Definition: “Best wishes” is a polite expression used to convey good intentions, support, or encouragement to someone. It is often placed at the end of letters, emails, or messages.
Grammar Form: Noun phrase.
Synonyms:
- Good luck (informal)
- Kind regards (formal)
- Warm regards (friendly)
Opposites:
- Bad luck (rarely used in correspondence)
- Ill wishes (extremely negative, avoid)
Sample Sentences:
- I wish you the best for your new job. Best wishes, John.
- She sent her best wishes to the team before the meeting.
When to Use “Best Wishes”
Spoken English:
- Can be used at the end of conversations when wishing someone success or happiness.
Business English:
- Appropriate for email closings or formal correspondence.
Emails / Messages:
- Frequently used in professional and personal emails to signal goodwill.
Social Media:
- Can be used in direct messages or posts when congratulating someone or wishing luck.
Academic Writing:
- Often appears in letters to professors, mentors, or colleagues.
Professional Meetings:
- Can be used when following up with colleagues or clients via email after a meeting.
Is “Best Wishes” Polite or Professional?
Tone Levels:
- Polite ✅
- Neutral ✅
- Strong ❌
- Soft ✅
Formal vs Informal:
- Suitable for both formal and semi-formal situations.
- Avoid using in casual texts with very close friends; it may sound stiff.
Etiquette Tip:
- Best for workplace emails, professional letters, and polite personal messages.
- Avoid in casual chats where simpler phrases like “take care” feel more natural.
Pros & Cons of Using “Best Wishes”
✔ Pros:
- Polite and universally understood
- Works in formal and semi-formal contexts
- Conveys positivity and goodwill
✘ Cons:
- Can feel generic or repetitive
- May sound formal in casual situations
- Less emotional than alternatives like “all the best”
Quick Alternatives List:
- All the best
- Warm regards
- Kind regards
- Take care
- Best regards
- Wishing you well
- Cheers
- With gratitude
- Many happy returns
- Good luck
- Stay safe
- Yours truly
- Cordially
- Have a great day
- Sending love
15 Alternatives to “Best Wishes”
1. All the Best
Meaning: A friendly way to wish someone success or happiness.
Explanation: Slightly less formal than best wishes, suitable for emails and personal messages.
Grammar Note: Idiomatic phrase.
Example Sentence: All the best for your presentation tomorrow!
Best Use: Informal / Email / Workplace / Text message
Worst Use: Overly formal letters
Tone: Friendly
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 9
Replaceability Tip: Use with colleagues you know well or in casual professional contexts.
2. Warm Regards
Meaning: Polite and professional email closing.
Explanation: Shows friendliness while maintaining professionalism.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: Warm regards, Emily
Best Use: Professional emails, business correspondence
Worst Use: Informal texts
Tone: Professional / Soft
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Perfect for emails to clients or mentors.
3. Kind Regards
Meaning: Polite and neutral, commonly used in professional emails.
Explanation: Less warm than warm regards, highly versatile in business.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: Kind regards, Thomas
Best Use: Professional emails, formal messages
Worst Use: Casual texting
Tone: Formal
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: Ideal for first-time professional contact.
4. Take Care
Meaning: Informal, caring farewell.
Explanation: Shows concern for someone’s well-being.
Grammar Note: Verb phrase
Example Sentence: Take care and enjoy your weekend!
Best Use: Informal emails, texts, spoken English
Worst Use: Highly formal business letters
Tone: Friendly / Soft
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 6
Replaceability Tip: Great for friends, family, or close colleagues.
5. Best Regards
Meaning: Polite and professional email closing.
Explanation: Neutral tone, widely accepted in corporate emails.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: Best regards, Michael
Best Use: Business emails, professional letters
Worst Use: Informal texts to friends
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Safe default for workplace communication.
6. Wishing You Well
Meaning: Polite expression of goodwill.
Explanation: Emphasizes care and positive intentions.
Grammar Note: Verb phrase
Example Sentence: Wishing you well in your new role!
Best Use: Professional / Informal / Email
Worst Use: Overly formal corporate memos
Tone: Friendly / Polite
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Good when you want a softer, caring tone.
7. Cheers
Meaning: Casual, friendly closing
Explanation: Very informal, often used in British English
Grammar Note: Interjection
Example Sentence: Cheers, see you Monday!
Best Use: Text messages, informal emails, friends
Worst Use: Formal or academic writing
Tone: Casual / Friendly
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 5
Replaceability Tip: Use only with friends or colleagues in informal contexts.
8. Many Happy Returns
Meaning: Wishing someone repeated happiness or birthdays
Explanation: Best for birthdays or special occasions
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: Many happy returns on your special day!
Best Use: Personal messages, cards
Worst Use: Business emails
Tone: Polite / Joyful
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 6
Replaceability Tip: Ideal for celebratory occasions.
9. With Gratitude
Meaning: Expressing thanks while closing
Explanation: Professional and heartfelt
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: With gratitude, Anna
Best Use: Emails, thank-you notes, professional letters
Worst Use: Casual texts
Tone: Polite / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: When thanking someone professionally.
10. Stay Safe
Meaning: Friendly concern for health or safety
Explanation: Casual, often used in social media or texts
Grammar Note: Verb phrase
Example Sentence: Stay safe during your trip!
Best Use: Informal texts, emails
Worst Use: Formal business letters
Tone: Friendly
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 6
Replaceability Tip: Best for personal connections.
11. Yours Truly
Meaning: Traditional formal closing
Explanation: Shows respect and formality
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: Yours truly, Robert
Best Use: Letters, formal correspondence
Worst Use: Casual emails
Tone: Formal
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: Works in legal, official, or traditional settings.
12. Cordially
Meaning: Polite and formal
Explanation: Shows respect and friendliness without being too emotional
Grammar Note: Adverb
Example Sentence: Cordially, Elizabeth
Best Use: Business letters, formal invitations
Worst Use: Casual texts
Tone: Formal / Polite
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Perfect for diplomatic or corporate communication.
13. Sending Love
Meaning: Expressing affection
Explanation: Informal, very personal
Grammar Note: Verb phrase
Example Sentence: Sending love to you and the family!
Best Use: Friends, family, intimate emails
Worst Use: Professional or formal emails
Tone: Friendly / Personal
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 4
Replaceability Tip: Only for close relationships.
14. Have a Great Day
Meaning: Positive, cheerful closing
Explanation: Friendly, suitable for semi-formal emails
Grammar Note: Sentence phrase
Example Sentence: Have a great day ahead!
Best Use: Email, casual correspondence
Worst Use: Very formal letters
Tone: Friendly / Polite
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: Great for positive, uplifting closings.
15. With Best Regards
Meaning: Slightly more formal than best regards
Explanation: Used in professional and semi-formal emails
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: With best regards, Jennifer
Best Use: Business emails, professional messages
Worst Use: Casual texts
Tone: Formal / Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 9
Replaceability Tip: When you want polite professionalism with warmth.
Mini Dialogue Examples
Formal Dialogue:
A: “Thank you for reviewing my proposal.”
B: “It was my pleasure. Best regards, Jonathan.”
Informal Dialogue:
A: “Good luck with your exam!”
B: “Thanks! Take care!”
Business Email Example:
Subject: Project Update
Dear Mr. Smith,
I hope this email finds you well. Attached is the latest report for your review.
Warm regards,
Emily
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using “best wishes” in overly casual texts
- Overusing the phrase repeatedly in multiple emails
- Mixing formal closings with informal body language
- Using culturally inappropriate alternatives
- Confusing “kind regards” and “warm regards” in formal letters
- Using slang like “cheers” with superiors
Cultural & Tone Tips
- UK English: Casual closings like cheers are common in emails and texts.
- US English: Formal closings like best regards or kind regards are preferred in professional emails.
- Casual Social English: Take care, have a great day, or sending love feel natural and friendly.
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Professional Level | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All the Best | Friendly | Emails, texts | Semi-formal | All the best for your exam! |
| Warm Regards | Polite | Professional emails | Formal | Warm regards, Sarah |
| Kind Regards | Neutral | Business emails | Formal | Kind regards, Thomas |
| Take Care | Friendly | Informal messages | Informal | Take care and see you soon! |
| Cheers | Casual | Texts, informal emails | Informal | Cheers, mate! |
| Yours Truly | Formal | Letters, formal mail | Formal | Yours truly, Robert |
FAQs
Is “best wishes” rude?
No, it is polite and friendly.
Is it okay in emails?
Yes, especially in formal or semi-formal emails.
What is the most formal alternative?
Yours truly or Cordially.
What is the most polite alternative?
Warm regards or Kind regards.
What should beginners use?
Best regards or All the best are safe options.
Can it be used in spoken English?
Yes, though less common; take care is more natural in speech.
Conclusion
Using alternatives to “best wishes” allows English learners and professionals to communicate more naturally and appropriately. Varied word choice enhances tone, clarity, and professionalism, whether in emails, letters, or daily conversation. Practicing different closings helps you sound confident and culturally aware, improving your overall communication skills. Don’t hesitate to match your phrase with the context, audience, and level of formality.
Ethan Cole is a passionate language enthusiast dedicated to making English learning simple and enjoyable.