Better definition

bĕtər
betters
See word origin
Frequency:
Compar. of good.
adjective
8
2
To make better; improve.

Trying to better conditions in the prison; bettered myself by changing jobs.

verb
8
3
In a more excellent way.
adverb
6
2
adverb
4
1
In a higher degree; to a greater extent.
adverb
3
1
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More.

It took better than an hour.

adverb
3
1
Had better (see phrase below)

You better behave yourself.

adverb
3
1
verb
2
0
Being more than half; larger.

It cost the better part of her pay.

adjective
3
2
Improved in health or disposition.
adjective
3
2
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A person superior in authority, position, etc.

Obey your betters.

noun
2
1
More.

It took me better than a year to recover.

adverb
1
0
In a more excellent manner; in a more suitable way.
adverb
2
2
More advantageous or favorable; improved.

A better chance of success.

adjective
1
1
Comparative form of good: more good.
adjective
1
1
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To a greater extent or degree.

Better suited to the job; likes it better without sauce.

adverb
0
0
To greater advantage; preferably.

A deed better left undone.

adverb
0
0
(intransitive) To become better; to improve.

verb
0
0
To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
verb
0
0
To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.
verb
0
0
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(slang) Had better.

You better do that if you know what's good for you.

verb
0
0
An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior.

He quickly found Ali his better in the ring.

noun
0
0
Alternative spelling of bettor.
noun
0
0
Greater in excellence or higher in quality.
adjective
1
2
More useful, suitable, or desirable.

Found a better way to go; a suit with a better fit than that one.

adjective
1
2
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Healthier or more fit than before.

The patient is better today.

adjective
1
2
One that is greater in excellence or higher in quality.
noun
1
2
A superior, as in standing, competence, or intelligence.

To learn from one's betters.

noun
1
2
More suitable, more desirable, more favorable, more profitable, etc.
adjective
1
2
The thing, condition, circumstance, action, etc. that is more excellent, more suitable, etc.
noun
1
2
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Advantage.

To get the better of a rival.

noun
1
2
The definition of better is superior or of high quality.

An example of better is an essay that outshines the rest.

adjective
0
1
Better means to a greater degree, or more appropriate.

An example of better is a pair of boots verses sneakers for walking in the rain.

adverb
0
1
Better is to make something more acceptable.

An example of better is to make a recipe even more tasty.

verb
0
1
Better is defined as the person in authority, or the thing that is more preferable.

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.

noun
0
1
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More highly skilled or adept.

I am better at math than English.

adjective
0
1
Greater or larger.

Argued for the better part of an hour.

adjective
0
1
To surpass or exceed.

Practiced so he could better his rival.

verb
0
1
To outdo; surpass.
verb
0
1
Comparative form of well: more well.
adjective
0
1
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Comparative form of well: more well.
adverb
0
1
More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.

Ten miles and better.

adverb
0
1
To become better.

Conditions bettered with time.

verb
0
2
Of a more excellent sort; surpassing another or others.
adjective
0
2
To make better; improve.
verb
0
2
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To become better.
verb
0
2
noun
0
2
better off
  • 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.
idiom
0
0
for the better
  • Resulting in or aiming at an improvement:
    Her condition took a turn for the better.
idiom
0
0
get
  • To outdo or outwit; defeat.
idiom
0
0
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think better of
  • 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.
idiom
0
0
better off
  • in a better situation or condition
  • having more income, wealth, etc.
idiom
0
0
for the better
  • to a better or improved condition
idiom
0
0
get the better of
  • to outdo
  • to outwit
idiom
0
0
had better
  • ought to; would be prudent or wise to
idiom
0
0

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
better
Plural:
betters

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

  • Alternate pronunciation of bettor or modern formation from the verb to bet.

    From Wiktionary