better

adjective

bet·ter | \ ˈbe-tər

Definition of better

(Entry 1 of 5)

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

verb

bettered; bettering; betters

Definition of better (Entry 2 of 5)

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

adverb

Definition of better (Entry 3 of 5)

comparative of well

1a : in a more excellent manner sings better than I do

b : to greater advantage : preferably some things are better left unsaid

2a : 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

noun

Definition of better (Entry 4 of 5)

1a : 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

auxiliary verb

Definition of better (Entry 5 of 5)

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

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about better

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Verb

improve, better, help, ameliorate 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 help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement. a coat of paint would help that house ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure. tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

Examples of better in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Run line: Get better value on Boston at a ripe +115 to cover the -1.5 runs and win by two or more behind the strength of a much better offense.

better

Definition of better

Synonyms & Antonyms for better

Choose the Right Synonym for better

Examples of better in a Sentence

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