Better definition
Trying to better conditions in the prison; bettered myself by changing jobs.
It took better than an hour.
It cost the better part of her pay.
Obey your betters.
It took me better than a year to recover.
A better chance of success.
Better suited to the job; likes it better without sauce.
A deed better left undone.
You better do that if you know what's good for you.
Found a better way to go; a suit with a better fit than that one.
The patient is better today.
To learn from one's betters.
To get the better of a rival.
An example of better is an essay that outshines the rest.
An example of better is a pair of boots verses sneakers for walking in the rain.
An example of better is to make a recipe even more tasty.
An example of better is headmaster of a private school.
An example of better is the college choice that provides the most for the individual.
I am better at math than English.
Argued for the better part of an hour.
Practiced so he could better his rival.
Ten miles and better.
Conditions bettered with time.
- In a better or more prosperous condition:Would be better off taking the train instead of driving; felt better off after the rise in stock prices.
- Resulting in or aiming at an improvement:Her condition took a turn for the better.
- To outdo or outwit; defeat.
- To change one's mind about (a course of action) after reconsideration:I almost bought an expensive watch, but then I thought better of it.
- in a better situation or condition
- having more income, wealth, etc.
- to a better or improved condition
- to outdo
- to outwit
- ought to; would be prudent or wise to
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
Origin of better
- Middle English from Old English betera bhad- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English better, bettre, betre, from Old English betera (“better”), from Proto-Germanic *batizô (“better”), from Proto-Indo-European *bhAd- (“good”). Cognate with Sanskrit भद्र (bhadrá, “blessed, fortunate, happy, good”). For Germanic cognates: see Proto-Germanic *batizô. Verb is from Middle English beteren, from Old English beterian (“to make better, improve”). Related to best. Compare also Icelandic batna (“to improve”), Icelandic bót (“improvement”). More at batten, boot.
From Wiktionary
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From Wiktionary