better Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something superior in quality or condition or effect
    • a change for the better
  2. noun someone who bets
    wagerer; punter; bettor.
  3. noun a superior person having claim to precedence
    • the common man has been kept in his place by his betters
  4. noun the superior one of two alternatives
    • chose the better of the two
  5. verb surpass in excellence
    break.
    • She bettered her own record
    • break a record
  6. verb to make better
    amend; ameliorate; meliorate; improve.
    • The editor improved the manuscript with his changes
  7. verb get better
    ameliorate; meliorate; improve.
    • The weather improved toward evening
  8. adjective (comparative of `good') superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
    • You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din
    • a better coat
    • a better type of car
    • a suit with a better fit
    • a better chance of success
    • produced a better mousetrap
    • she's better in math than in history
  9. adjective (comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or fitness
    • her health is better now
    • I feel better
  10. adjective satellite (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable
    best.
    • it would be better to speak to him
    • the White House thought it best not to respond
  11. adjective satellite more than half
    • argued for the better part of an hour
  12. adjective having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
    good.
    • good news from the hospital
    • a good report card
    • when she was good she was very very good
    • a good knife is one good for cutting
    • this stump will make a good picnic table
    • a good check
    • a good joke
    • a good exterior paint
    • a good secretary
    • a good dress for the office
  13. adjective satellite having the normally expected amount
    good; full.
    • gives full measure
    • gives good measure
    • a good mile from here
  14. adjective morally admirable
    good.
  15. adjective satellite deserving of esteem and respect
    honorable; good; estimable; respectable.
    • all respectable companies give guarantees
    • ruined the family's good name
  16. adjective satellite promoting or enhancing well-being
    beneficial; good.
    • an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
    • the beneficial effects of a temperate climate
    • the experience was good for her
  17. adjective satellite agreeable or pleasing
    good.
    • we all had a good time
    • good manners
  18. adjective satellite of moral excellence
    upright; good; just.
    • a genuinely good person
    • a just cause
    • an upright and respectable man
  19. adjective satellite having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
    good; practiced; expert; skillful; proficient; adept; skilful.
    • adept in handicrafts
    • an adept juggler
    • an expert job
    • a good mechanic
    • a practiced marksman
    • a proficient engineer
    • a lesser-known but no less skillful composer
    • the effect was achieved by skillful retouching
  20. adjective satellite thorough
    good.
    • had a good workout
    • gave the house a good cleaning
  21. adjective satellite with or in a close or intimate relationship
    dear; near; good.
    • a good friend
    • my sisters and brothers are near and dear
  22. adjective satellite financially sound
    safe; good; dependable; secure.
    • a good investment
    • a secure investment
  23. adjective satellite most suitable or right for a particular purpose
    good; right; ripe.
    • a good time to plant tomatoes
    • the right time to act
    • the time is ripe for great sociological changes
  24. adjective satellite resulting favorably
    good; well.
    • it's a good thing that I wasn't there
    • it is good that you stayed
    • it is well that no one saw you
    • all's well that ends well
  25. adjective satellite exerting force or influence
    in force; in effect; good; effective.
    • the law is effective immediately
    • a warranty good for two years
    • the law is already in effect (or in force)
  26. adjective satellite capable of pleasing
    good.
    • good looks
  27. adjective satellite appealing to the mind
    serious; good.
    • good music
    • a serious book
  28. adjective satellite in excellent physical condition
    sound; good.
    • good teeth
    • I still have one good leg
    • a sound mind in a sound body
  29. adjective satellite tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
    salutary; good.
    • beneficial effects of a balanced diet
    • a good night's sleep
    • the salutary influence of pure air
  30. adjective satellite not forged
    good; honest.
    • a good dollar bill
  31. adjective satellite not left to spoil
    unspoilt; unspoiled; good; undecomposed.
    • the meat is still good
  32. adjective satellite generally admired
    good.
    • good taste
  33. adjective in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury; at least I feel well"
    well.
    • appears to be entirely well
    • the wound is nearly well
    • a well man
    • I think I'm well
  34. adjective satellite wise or advantageous and hence advisable
    well.
    • it would be well to start early
  35. adverb comparative of `well'; in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc.
    • She had never sung better
    • a deed better left undone
    • better suited to the job
  36. adverb from a position of superiority or authority
    best.
    • father knows best
    • I know better.
  37. adverb (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')
    good; well.
    • the children behaved well
    • a task well done
    • the party went well
    • he slept well
    • a well-argued thesis
    • a well-seasoned dish
    • a well-planned party
    • the baby can walk pretty good
  38. adverb thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form
    well.
    • The problem is well understood
    • she was well informed
    • shake well before using
    • in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked
    • well-done beef", "well-satisfied customers
    • well-educated
  39. adverb indicating high probability; in all likelihood
    easily; well.
    • I might well do it
    • a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
    • you may well need your umbrella
    • he could equally well be trying to deceive us
  40. adverb (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully
    well.
    • a book well worth reading
    • was well aware of the difficulties ahead
    • suspected only too well what might be going on
  41. adverb to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree
    well.
    • the project was well underway
    • the fetus has well developed organs
    • his father was well pleased with his grades
  42. adverb favorably; with approval
    well.
    • their neighbors spoke well of them
    • he thought well of the book
  43. adverb to a great extent or degree
    substantially; considerably; well.
    • I'm afraid the film was well over budget
    • painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger
    • the house has fallen considerably in value
    • the price went up substantially
  44. adverb with great or especially intimate knowledge
    intimately; well.
    • we knew them well
  45. adverb with prudence or propriety
    well.
    • You would do well to say nothing more
    • could not well refuse
  46. adverb with skill or in a pleasing manner
    well.
    • she dances well
    • he writes well
  47. adverb in a manner affording benefit or advantage
    advantageously; well.
    • she married well
    • The children were settled advantageously in Seattle
  48. adverb in financial comfort
    comfortably; well.
    • They live well
    • she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died
  49. adverb without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor
    well.
    • took the joke well
    • took the tragic news well

WordNet

Bet"ter a.; compar. of Good
Etymology
OE. betere, bettre, and as adv. bet, AS. betera, adj., and bet, adv.; akin to Icel. betri, adj., betr, adv., Goth. batiza, adj., OHG. bezziro, adj., baz, adv., G. besser, adj. and adv., bass, adv., E. boot, and prob. to Skr. bhadra excellent. See Boot advantage, and cf. Best, Batful.
Definitions
  1. Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a better air.
    Could make the worse appear The better reason. Milton.
  2. Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness, acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect.
    To obey is better than sacrifice. 1 Sam. xv. 22.
    It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. Ps. cxviii. 9.
  3. Greater in amount; larger; more.
  4. Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better.
  5. More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance; a better knowledge of the subject.
Bet"ter noun
Definitions
  1. Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of; as, to get the better of an enemy.
  2. One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in merit, social standing, etc.; -- usually in the plural.
    Their betters would hardly be found. Hooker.
    Dryden.
Bet"ter adv.; compar. of Well
Definitions
  1. In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as, Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than recruits.
    I could have better spared a better man. Shak.
  2. More correctly or thoroughly.
    The better to understand the extent of our knowledge. Locke.
  3. In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one better than another.
    Never was monarch better feared, and loved. Shak.
  4. More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten miles and better. Colloq.
Bet"ter transitive verb
Etymology
AS. beterian, betrian, fr. betera better. See Better, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Bettered present participle & verbal noun Bettering
Definitions
  1. To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of.
    Love betters what is best. Wordsworth.
    He thought to better his circumstances. Thackeray.
  2. To improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise.
    The constant effort of every man to better himself. Macaulay.
  3. To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
    The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered. Hooker.
  4. To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of. Obs.
    Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us and worse our foes. Milton.
    Syn. -- To improve; meliorate; ameliorate; mend; amend; correct; emend; reform; advance; promote.
Bet"ter intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To become better; to improve. Carlyle.
Bet"ter noun
Definitions
  1. One who bets or lays a wager.

Webster 1913