better1
/ˈbɛtə
/adjective
1More desirable, satisfactory, or effective: we’re hoping for better weather tomorrow the new facilities were far better I’m better at doing sums than Alice...
- The high street is getting better at delivering good, fashionable styles and is great for an instant trend hit.
- Get someone else to do it preferably someone who is better at it than you are.
- Now does that mean we all can't be a little better at what we do or be a little more responsible?
Synonyms
superior, finer, of higher quality, greater, in a different class, one step ahead;
more acceptable, preferable, recommended
informal a cut above, streets ahead, head and shoulders above, ahead of the pack/field
Comparative of good
1.1More appropriate, advantageous, or well advised: there couldn’t be a better time to take up this job it might be better to borrow the money...
- My message is that hostility can be turned to our advantage if we're better, smarter, wiser at the end of the season.
- Both the winner and the runner-up will be seen to better advantage over a longer trip.
- The runner up came from a long way back and should be seen to better advantage over an extended trip.
Synonyms
more advantageous, more suitable, more fitting, more appropriate, more useful, more valuable, more desirable
2 [predicative or as complement] Partly or fully recovered from illness, injury, or mental stress: his leg was getting better...
- She also says that where she is now is better because of recovery and rehabilitation facilities.
- Wishing both a great time and hoping that Jim's hand injury will soon get better.
- Sadly, a lot of this is due to the over use of antibiotics for illnesses which would get better on their own.
Synonyms
healthier, fitter, stronger, less ill;
well, cured, healed, recovered;
convalescent, recovering, on the road to recovery, making progress, progressing, improving
informal on the mend, looking up
Comparative of well1
adverb
1More excellently or effectively: Jonathon could do better if he tried sound travels better in water than in air instruments are generally better made these days...
- Sound travels better and faster in water than in air, so the sea is a perfect place for acoustic advertising.
- Whilst sound carries better in water than in air, that hasn't stopped mammals from using sonar in the air too.
- Men should travel to associate themselves better with the outside world and to find their place within it.
Synonyms
to a higher standard, in a superior/finer way
1.1To a greater degree; more (used in connection with success or with desirable actions or conditions): I liked it better when we lived in the country well-fed people are better able to fight off infection...
- Cue Andrew, whose style of bowling suited the conditions far better.
- As the rain fell Carrickmore seemingly were able to cope with the adverse conditions better.
- Hopefully, the world will be better able to live with itself in peace.
Synonyms
more, to a greater degree
1.2More suitably, appropriately, or usefully: the money could be better spent on more urgent cases...
- Won't all of it be money that could be better spent fixing schools and hospitals instead?
- They say the money and time would be better spent trying to change sexual behaviour.
- Young believes profits are better spent finding and targeting new niches.
Synonyms
more wisely, more sensibly, more suitably, more fittingly, more advantageously
Comparative of well1
noun
1 [mass noun] The better one; that which is better: the Natural History Museum book is by far the better of the two you’ve a right to expect better than that a change for the better...
- The world has been actively and consciously changed for the better in the past.
- Education brings about dialogue and hence the society could be changed for the better.
- I have high hopes that he will be able to change the way we look at sports, for the better.
2 (one's betters) chiefly dated or humorous One’s superiors in social class or ability: educating the young to respect their elders and betters...
- They are respected members of the community and for his family to see him ignoring and jeering his elders and betters is very disappointing.
- It is important to keep a sense of proportion about these things and, it seems to me, there are times when our elders and betters lose the run of themselves.
- Even the Parrot aimed to inculcate the habits of godliness and good behaviour, consideration for others, respect for ones elders and betters.
verb [with object]
1Improve on or surpass (an existing or previous level or achievement): his account can hardly be bettered bettering his previous time by ten minutes...
- The 22-year-old then bettered her three previous performances at the French Open by beating the 10th seed en-route to the third round.
- The apparent ease at which he was scoring suggested he would have gone beyond the 300 barrier, but he was content with bettering his previous test-best score by exactly 100.
- He was unlucky not to receive an Oscar nomination for his touching and subtle performance, which betters any of his previous work.
Synonyms
surpass, improve on, beat, exceed, excel, top, cap, trump, eclipse, outstrip, outdo, outmatch, go one better than
informal best
1.1Make (something) better; improve: his ideas for bettering the lot of the millhands...
- When workers do make meaningful advances against their local employers by modestly improving their wages or bettering their working conditions, the subcontracts are not as lucrative for the local elites.
- Exploiting the public is not leading it; satisfying its passions or sanctioning its ideas is not bettering them; and we understand… the heart of the people and their ideas.
- Eckstein worked all offseason to improve his range by bettering his footwork and getting good jumps on the ball.
Synonyms
improve, make better, ameliorate, raise, advance, further, lift, upgrade, enhance;
reform, rectify
rare meliorate
1.2 (better oneself) Achieve a higher social position or status: the residents are mostly Londoners who have bettered themselves...
- Some black immigrants, who originally came to Canada to better themselves and have now achieved middle-class status, prefer assimilation over heritage.
- Social mobility - people bettering themselves and so moving upwards through the ‘class' structure, surely a hallmark of any healthy and just society - has been halted in its tracks.
- Try reasoning with him, explaining your targets in life and what you would like to achieve and better yourself.
1.3Overcome or defeat (someone): she had almost bettered him at archery...
- In those appearances, she was bettered by two other competitors.
- And now I'll never have to be reminded of your bettering me again.
- Yet he was also bettered by Parker when I saw them spar.
Usage
In the verb phrase had better do something the word had acts like an auxiliary verb, and in informal spoken contexts it is often dropped, as in you better not come tonight. In writing, the had may be contracted to 'd but should not be dropped altogether.
Phrases
the —— the better
better the devil you know than the devil you don't know
better off
the better part of
better safe than sorry
better than
be better than nothing
the better to ——
for better or (for) worse
get the better of
go one better
had better do something
have the better of
no (or little) better than
no better than one should (or ought to) be
Origin
Old English betera (adjective), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch beter and German besser, also to best.
Rhymes
better2
/ˈbɛtə/noun
Variant spelling of bettor.