better
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bet·ter (bet′ər)
adjective
- compar. of good
- of a more excellent sort; surpassing another or others
- more suitable, more desirable, more favorable, more profitable, etc.
- being more than half; larger it cost the better part of her pay
- improved in health or disposition
Etymology: ME bettere, betere < OE betera: see best
adverb
- well
- in a more excellent manner; in a more suitable way
- in a higher degree; to a greater extent
- more it took better than an hour
- Informal had better (see phrase below) you better behave yourself
noun
- a person superior in authority, position, etc. obey your betters
- the thing, circumstance, action, etc. that is more excellent, more suitable, etc.
- advantage to get the better of a rival
transitive verb
- to outdo; surpass
- to make better; improve
intransitive verb
better off
- in a better situation or condition
- having more income, wealth, etc.
for the better
had better
bet·ter (bet′ər)
noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
better
modif.
Superior
greater, finer, preferred, preferable, surpassing, excelling, improved, more suitable, more desirable, more favorable, more virtuous; see also best 1, excellent.Thought of as somewhat exclusive
more select, of higher quality, more refined, more aloof, more noteworthy, more distinguished, more sophisticated, politer, posher*, classier*. Recovering health
convalescent, improved in health, stronger, recovering, convalescing, improving, on the road to recovery, mending, progressing, on the mend*. Larger
bigger, preponderant, weightier, more; see large 1, more 2.
for better or worse
for the better
get<strong> or </strong>have the better of<strong>
better
v.
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Object
- time: Put to better the time of for that wrong foreign oilwhich begs.
Used with why or when
- what: My wife and I know far better what we are doing after our experience there.
Modifying Another Word
- much: Enjoy softer, smoother hair and skin - You'll be amazed at how much better your skin and hair look and feel.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
Along the electric wires the message came: 'He is no better, he is much the same.'
You are no better than you should be.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, thanwith a brawling woman in a wide house.
Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Cite this page:
MLA Style
"better." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/better>
APA Style
better. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/better

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