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bet·ter¹

(bĕtər)

adj. Comparative of good.

1. Greater in excellence or higher in quality: Which of the twins is the better skater?

2. More useful, suitable, or desirable: found a better way to go; a suit with a better fit than that one.

3. More highly skilled or adept: I am better at math than English.

4. Greater or larger: argued for the better part of an hour.

5. More advantageous or favorable; improved: a better chance of success.

6. Healthier, more fit, or in less discomfort than before: The patient is better today.

adv. Comparative of well².

1. In a more excellent way: He sings better than his father.

a. To a greater extent or degree: better suited to the job; likes it better without sauce.

b. To greater advantage; preferably: a deed better left undone. See Usage Notes at best, have, rather.

3. More: It took me better than a year to recover.

1. One that is greater in excellence or higher in quality.

2. often betters A superior, as in standing, competence, or intelligence: to learn from one's betters.

v. bet·tered, bet·ter·ing, bet·ters

v. tr.

1. To make better; improve: trying to better conditions in the prison; bettered myself by changing jobs.

2. To surpass or exceed: practiced so he could better his rival.

v. intr.

To become better: Conditions bettered with time.

Idioms:

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.

for the better

Resulting in or aiming at an improvement: Her condition took a turn for the better.

get (or have)the better of

To outdo or outwit; defeat.

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.

[Middle English, from Old English betera; see bhad- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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