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单词 better
释义

better

1 of 5

adjective

bet·​ter ˈbe-tər How to pronounce better (audio)

comparative of good

1
: greater than half
for the better part of an hour
2
: improved in health or mental attitude
feeling better
3
: more attractive, favorable, or commendable
in better circumstances
4
: more advantageous or effective
a better solution
5
: improved in accuracy or performance
building a better engine

better

2 of 5

verb

bettered; bettering; betters

transitive verb

1
: to make better (see better entry 1): such as
a
: to make more tolerable or acceptable
trying to better the lot of slum dwellers
b
: to make more complete or perfect
looked forward to bettering her acquaintance with the new neighbors
2
: to surpass in excellence : excel
bettered his personal record by nearly three seconds

intransitive verb

: to become better
… must be bettering instead of worsening.—Thomas Carlyle

better

3 of 5

adverb

comparative of well

1
a
: in a more excellent manner
sings better than I do
b
: to greater advantage : preferably
some things are better left unsaid
2
a
: to a higher or greater degree
he knows the story better than you do
b
: more
it is better than nine miles to the next town

better

4 of 5

noun

1
a
: something better (see better entry 1)
I expected better from them
b
: a superior especially in merit or rank
was respectful of his betters
2
: advantage, victory
get the better of her

better

5 of 5

auxiliary verb

: had better (see better entry 3 sense 1b)
you better hurry

Synonyms

Verb

  • beat
  • eclipse
  • exceed
  • excel
  • outclass
  • outdistance
  • outdo
  • outgun
  • outmatch
  • outshine
  • outstrip
  • overtop
  • surpass
  • top
  • tower (over)
  • transcend

Adverb

  • more

Noun

  • elder
  • senior
  • superior
See all Synonyms & Antonyms

Example Sentences

Adjective Her second book is better than her first one. This one is no better than that one. She's a better golfer than I am. He's a better singer than he is an actor. He's much better with children now that he's a father himself. The weather is better today than it was yesterday. They came up with a better solution to the problem. Don't you have something better to do than to watch TV all day? Her work wasn't that good at first, but it's getting better. Her work just keeps getting better and better. Verb They are trying to better the lives of working people. He looked forward to bettering his acquaintance with the new neighbors. The team has bettered its chances of winning the championship. She bettered her previous performance. He set a record that has never been equaled or bettered. Adverb “How is she doing in school?” “She did badly at first, but now she's doing much better.” She sings better than I do. He sings better than he acts. “Instead of writing to her, I'm going to visit her in person.” “Even better.” He knows the story much better than you do. Her paintings have become better known in recent years. There's nothing I'd like better than to see you again. Noun They shouldn't treat him that way. He deserves better. be polite to your betters and to your inferiors in equal measure See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Implementing better protocol for detection and providing translation services to parents in these areas is essential so they can get diagnosed and referred, said Beckerman. —Nada Hassanein, USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2023 On Tuesday Biden touted increases in Border Patrol staffing and also increased fentanyl seizures at the border, which officials have said shows that apprehension is getting better. —Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023 The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide. —Zeke Miller And, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023 But Democrats and other critics said the state could use the $10 million for better purposes and questioned how it would be determined that migrants voluntarily agreed to be transported. —Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2023 Despite his better instincts, a 20-year-old man went to a Gary apartment complex on Nov. 2, 2017 to sell 1.5 ounces of marijuana to his co-worker. —Meredith Colias-pete And Rebecca Jacobs, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023 Migrants who come to the U.S. to find work are now being hired more quickly, at higher pay and under better working conditions than at any time in recent memory. —Santiago Pérez And Michelle Hackman, WSJ, 7 Feb. 2023 German measles are better and more accurately known now as rubella. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023 Rather than being pounded extremely thin like some schnitzels are, the pork and chicken are juicy thicker cutlets, which makes for a better meat-to-bun ratio. —Journal Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2023
Verb
At a news conference, the family’s attorney Benjamin Crump said Nichols worked hard to better himself as a father. —Dallas News, 28 Jan. 2023 Portland guard CJ McCollum explained that Stotts is constantly studying the game and trying to better himself. —oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2021 The looming question is whether the inclusion of Discovery content will better the experience or create a bloated, non-curated, frustrating experience that sacrifices what makes HBO Max great in order to scale as fast as possible. —Vulture, 7 July 2022 So, to better his understanding of how DNA works at the molecular level, Benner and his research team set out to make their own additions to biological genetics. —Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019 One major failure of Truth in Sentencing, critics contend, is there is no incentive for offenders to better themselves while incarcerated. —James E. Causey, Journal Sentinel, 15 Dec. 2022 Ostbloom’s partnership has given Thorssin the tools to better her business and life. —Anchorage Daily News, 15 Dec. 2022 In its place is goblin mode – the opposite of trying to better yourself. —Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Dec. 2022 When the former discovers that the latter is also secretly romancing a string of aristocratic women including the married Geneviève (Lesley Manville), the current Madame de Merteuil, in a bid to better his fortunes, she is heartbroken. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 18 Nov. 2022
Adverb
The Institute founded in his name partners with the National Football League, Gatorade, the National Athletic Trainers' Association and others to better understand and manage heat risks to athletes. —The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2023 In addition, Most of the activities that hybrid employees carry out–such as focused individual tasks, asynchronous communication, and video meetings–are better done at home. —Gleb Tsipursky, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2023 Vertex is funding an academic project to better understand the genetics of cystic fibrosis patients in poorer countries. —Rebecca Robbins, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2023 The Navy is also using ships to map and scan the sea floor for all remaining parts of the balloon, so U.S. analysts can get a full picture of what types of sensors the Chinese were using and to better understand how the balloon was able to maneuver. —Tara Copp, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Feb. 2023 In related news, Emma Foehringer Merchant wrote a fascinating story for Undark about researchers creating a repository of birds and bats killed at solar and wind farms, to better understand why they’re getting killed and how to prevent it. —Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals. —Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023 The Navy is also using ships to map and scan the sea floor for all remaining parts of the balloon, so U.S. analysts can get a full picture of what types of sensors the Chinese were using and to better understand how the balloon was able to maneuver. —Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2023 Renner requested documents showing communications from HCPS to better understand how the book challenges are addressed. —Joshua Q. Nelson, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
That’s about double the pace of pre-coronavirus times, a surge in part explained by the transition of sports betters into day trading in the absence of live sports. —David Z. Morris, Fortune, 20 May 2020 Setting aside the Escape, each of the other rivals that trailed it to the finish line has a trait or two—be it sportiness, roominess, cargo volume, or feature count—that matches or betters what the CX-5 brings to the fight. —Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 20 Apr. 2020 Seasoned sports betters looking for an easy onboarding into digital gaming are slowly finding their way onto sites that allow betting on sports sims. —Cecilia D'anastasio, Wired, 4 Apr. 2020 But every Wednesday in the city, the races are still running and the betters are still betting. —Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, 31 Mar. 2020 Or perhaps at America itself for failing the expectations of our moral betters? —Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, 24 Sep. 2019 In many ways the Model 3 also betters established luxury sedans such as the BMW 3 Series. —Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2020 Beamon’s leap of 29 feet and 2 1-2 inches betters the mark by one foot, 9 3-4 inches. —Paul Montella, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2019 As with many other arrangements, the content industry took up with Facebook on the promise of a simpler life—the knotty grot-work of reach and revenue would be handed over to our betters. —Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 31 Dec. 2019
Auxiliary verb
Our educators in all 67 counties are community partners — bringing practical ways to better our homes, farms, people and the world around us. —Cole Sikes Alabama Cooperative Extension System, al, 13 Feb. 2023 A new year is when many people pledge to improve their diets – whether to better their own health or the planet’s. —Christine Ro, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023 Biden, who is actively under investigation, is not likely to instigate a review or order any changes in procedure because it could be seen as a political move meant to better his own circumstances. —Jill Colvin, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Jan. 2023 What could the man’s life could have been, if only he had been provided an opportunity to better his life and circumstances? —Deidre Montague, Hartford Courant, 25 Oct. 2022 Our educators in all 67 counties are community partners — bringing practical ways to better our homes, farms, people and the world around us. —Cole Sikes, al, 6 Feb. 2023 The looming question is whether the inclusion of Discovery content will better the experience or create a bloated, non-curated, frustrating experience that sacrifices what makes HBO Max great in order to scale as fast as possible. —Vulture, 7 July 2022 One major failure of Truth in Sentencing, critics contend, is there is no incentive for offenders to better themselves while incarcerated. —James E. Causey, Journal Sentinel, 15 Dec. 2022 It’s the perfect book for anyone looking to better their overall well-being. —Lindzi Scharf, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2023 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English betere, bettere, bettre, better, going back to Old English betera, betra, bettra, going back to Germanic *batizōn (whence also Old Frisian betera, betra, Old Saxon betara, Old High German bezziro, Old Icelandic betri, Gothic batiza), comparative degree of an otherwise unattested adjective from a base *bat-, whence also, with lengthened o-grade, *bōtō "improvement," whence Old English bōt "a making good, remedy, improvement, atonement," Old Frisian bōte "atonement, compensation," Old Saxon bōta "remedy, aid, deliverance," Old High German buoza "amendment, remedy, penance, punishment," Old Icelandic bót "remedy, atonement, compensation," Gothic bota "usefulness, profit"; *bat- perhaps going back to Indo-European *bhHd-, zero-grade of a root *bheHd-, whence also Sanskrit bhadráḥ "fortunate, blessed, delightful," Avestan hubaδra- "fortunate" (< *bhoHd-ro, with loss of H before an unaspirated voiced stop)

Note: As do other European languages, Germanic forms the comparative and superlative degrees of the adjective meaning "good" from a different base than the positive degree; compare good entry 1, best entry 1. This Indo-European etymology follows G. Kroonen, Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic (Brill, 2009), which for the rule of H loss refers to A. Lubotsky, "Gr. pḗgnumi : Skt. pajrá- and loss of laryngeals before mediae in Indo-Iranian," Münchener Studien zur Sprachwissenschaft, Band 40 (1981), pp. 133-38. Other opinions, however, are not in favor of the connection, or agnostic. See A.L. Lloyd and O. Springer, Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Althochdeutschen, Band 1, s.v. baz, where the history of the etymology is traced. M. Mayrhofer maintained that Sanskrit bhadrá- should rather be connected with bhándate "is praised, receives praise" (see Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altindoarischen, Band 2 [Heidelberg, 1996], p. 244).

Verb

Middle English betteren, bettren "to improve, remedy, have the advantage," going back to Old English beterian "to improve, make better," going back to Germanic *batizōjan- (whence also Old Frisian beteria, betria "to atone, improve," Old Saxon betaron "to mend," Old High German bezzirōn "to improve, enrich," Old Icelandic betra "to improve"), verbal derivative of *batizōn better entry 1

Note: In English and other Germanic languages this verb has been augmented by re-formation from the comparative adjective. Note that evidence for the English verb is practically non-existent between Old English and ca. 1400.

Adverb

Middle English bettre, betere, derivative of betere better entry 1

Note: This formation replaces early Modern English, Middle English, and Old English bet, the original Germanic adverbial counterpart to better entry 1

Noun

Middle English bettre, betere, going back to Old English betere, noun derivative of betera, betra better entry 1

Auxiliary verb

by ellipsis from had better

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Auxiliary Verb

1817, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing better

  • better the devil you know than the devil you don't
  • all the better
  • a change for the better
  • doesn't know (any) better
  • better luck next time
  • better half
  • couldn't be worse/better
  • better oneself
  • discretion is the better part of valor
  • against one's better judgment
  • better-off
  • for better or (for) worse
  • get better acquainted
  • for the better
  • greater/better/more than the sum of its parts
  • go one better
  • prevention is better than cure
  • know better than to
  • (it's) better (to be) safe than sorry
  • know better
  • the best/better/greater part of
  • taken a turn for the better
  • so much the better
  • take a turn for the worse/better
  • old enough to know better
  • two heads are better than one
  • you/you'd better believe it
  • no better
  • little better than
  • the less said, the better
  • get the better of
  • better angels
  • think better of
  • had better
See More
  • better the devil you know than the devil you don't
  • all the better
  • a change for the better
  • doesn't know (any) better
  • better luck next time
  • better half
  • couldn't be worse/better
  • better oneself
  • discretion is the better part of valor
  • against one's better judgment
  • better-off
  • for better or (for) worse
  • get better acquainted
  • for the better
  • greater/better/more than the sum of its parts
  • go one better
  • prevention is better than cure
  • know better than to
  • (it's) better (to be) safe than sorry
  • know better
  • the best/better/greater part of
  • taken a turn for the better
  • so much the better
  • take a turn for the worse/better
  • old enough to know better
  • two heads are better than one
  • you/you'd better believe it
  • no better
  • little better than
  • the less said, the better
  • get the better of
  • better angels
  • think better of
  • had better
See More

Kids Definition

better

1 of 4 adjective
bet·​ter ˈbet-ər How to pronounce better (audio)

comparative of good entry 1

1
: improved in health
2
: of higher quality

better

2 of 4 adverb

comparative of well

1
: in a more excellent manner
2
a
: to a higher or greater degree
knows the story better than I do
b
: more entry 2
better than an hour's drive to the lake

better

3 of 4 noun
1
a
: a better thing or state
a change for the better
b
: a superior especially in merit or rank
be respectful of your betters
2
: advantage sense 1
get the better of someone

better

4 of 4 verb
1
: to make better
2
: to be or do better than

better 1 of 4

adjective

as in special

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
  • special
  • exceptional
  • fancy
  • excellent
  • choice
  • superior
  • great
  • elite
  • terrific
  • exclusive
  • superb
  • high-grade
  • wonderful
  • elegant
  • outstanding
  • rare
  • exquisite
  • superlative
  • splendid
  • premium
  • bijou
  • select
  • marvelous
  • prime
  • par excellence
  • stellar
  • fine
  • unsurpassed
  • fabulous
  • jewellike
  • top
  • transcendent
  • classic
  • top-notch
  • sensational
  • noble
  • sterling
  • dainty
  • first-rate
  • marvellous
  • first-class
  • tip-top
  • grand
  • supernal
  • recherché
  • delicate
  • ultrarare

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • rough
  • gross
  • coarse
  • commercial
  • popular
  • common
  • tasteless
  • unpolished
  • unrefined
  • vulgar
  • lesser
  • ordinary
  • lowbrow
  • kitschy
  • raffish
  • uncultured
  • uncultivated
  • average
  • kitsch
  • mediocre
  • unsatisfactory
  • inferior
  • unacceptable
  • wanting
  • deficient
  • substandard
  • rough-hewn
  • mass-produced
  • run-of-the-mine
  • second-rate
  • second-class
  • run-of-the-mill
  • low-grade
  • run-of-mine
See More

better

2 of 4

adverb

as in more
to a greater or higher extent he knows property law better than anyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • more

better

3 of 4

noun

1
as in superior
one who is above another in rank, station, or office be polite to your betters and to your inferiors in equal measure

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • superior
  • boss
  • senior
  • master
  • leader
  • chief
  • elder
  • head

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • subordinate
  • inferior
  • assistant
  • underling
  • deputy
2
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition she got the better of her opponents very early in the race

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • advantage
  • edge
  • opportunity
  • odds
  • high ground
  • start
  • stead
  • upper hand
  • jump
  • vantage
  • lead
  • pull
  • benefit
  • inside track
  • superiority
  • privilege
  • coign of vantage
  • drop
  • bulge
  • whip hand
  • margin
  • catbird seat
  • precedence
  • leg up
  • preference
  • allowance
  • dominance
  • prerogative
  • transcendence
  • mastery
  • predominance
  • head start
  • ascendancy
  • foothold
  • supremacy
  • godsend
  • transcendency
  • windfall
  • seniority
  • blessing
  • break
  • boon
  • command
  • ascendency
  • felicity
  • manna

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • disadvantage
  • detriment
  • drawback
  • strike
  • penalty
  • liability
  • handicap
  • failing
  • disparity
  • minus
  • imbalance
  • inequality
  • disability
  • shortcoming
  • stranglehold
  • interference
  • impairment
  • stop
  • unevenness
  • hindrance
  • catch
  • obstacle
  • impediment
  • obstruction
  • embarrassment
  • check
  • bar
  • hurdle
  • rub
  • hitch
  • clog
  • crimp
  • setback
  • shackle
  • lurch
  • let
  • manacle
  • trammel
See More

better

4 of 4

verb

1
as in to surpass
to be greater, better, or stronger than this year's profits should better last year's by a wide margin

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • surpass
  • exceed
  • top
  • eclipse
  • beat
  • excel
  • outdo
  • best
  • outshine
  • transcend
  • outstrip
  • outclass
  • outmatch
  • outgun
  • outdistance
  • overcome
  • master
  • worst
  • overtop
  • go one better
  • defeat
  • outpace
  • outweigh
  • overshadow
  • shame
  • run rings around
  • outrun
  • outperform
  • run circles around
  • tower (over)
  • outrace
  • surmount
  • subdue
  • conquer
  • overmatch
  • lick
  • trounce
  • trump
  • outcompete
  • one-up
  • overpass
  • rout
  • clobber
  • trim
  • outbalance
  • whip
  • skunk
  • crush
  • wallop
  • thrash
  • overbear
  • prevail (over)
  • drub
  • triumph (over)
  • win (against)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • lose (to)
2
as in to improve
to make better social workers and reformers trying to better the lives of inner-city residents

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • improve
  • enhance
  • perfect
  • help
  • refine
  • remedy
  • ameliorate
  • upgrade
  • enrich
  • remediate
  • amend
  • correct
  • meliorate
  • reinforce
  • strengthen
  • fine
  • rectify
  • intensify
  • reform
  • rehabilitate
  • boost
  • revise
  • rework
  • fine-tune
  • emend
  • polish
  • rehab
  • revamp
  • edit
  • refurbish
  • redraft
  • hone
  • fortify
  • reenforce
  • retouch
  • beef (up)
  • touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • worsen
  • hurt
  • harm
  • impair
  • damage
  • spoil
  • reduce
  • injure
  • tarnish
  • vitiate
  • flaw
  • lower
  • diminish
  • lessen
  • blight
  • disfigure
  • mar
  • endamage
  • deface
  • blemish
See More

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

Phrases Containing better

  • go one better
  • think better of
  • better half
  • get the better of
  • go one better
  • think better of
  • better half
  • get the better of
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更新时间：2024/11/13 10:56:54