adjective

1. compar. of good
2. of a more excellent sort; surpassing another or others
3. more suitable, more desirable, more favorable, more profitable, etc.
4. being more than half; larger it cost the better part of her pay
5. improved in health or disposition

Etymology: ME bettere, betere < OE betera: see best

adverb

1. well
2. in a more excellent manner; in a more suitable way
3. in a higher degree; to a greater extent
4. more it took better than an hour
5. Informal had better (see phrase below) you better behave yourself

noun

1. a person superior in authority, position, etc. obey your betters
2. the thing, circumstance, action, etc. that is more excellent, more suitable, etc.
3. advantage to get the better of a rival

transitive verb

1. to outdo; surpass
2. to make better; improve

intransitive verb

noun