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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.]

bet·ter²

(bĕtər)

Variant of bettor.

well²

(wĕl)

adv. bet·ter (bĕtər), best (bĕst)

1. In a good or proper manner: behaved well.

2. Skillfully or proficiently: dances well.

3. Satisfactorily or sufficiently: slept well.

4. Successfully or effectively: gets along well with people.

5. In a comfortable or affluent manner: lived well.

6. In a manner affording benefit or gain; advantageously: married well.

7. With reason or propriety; reasonably: can't very well say no.

8. In all likelihood; indeed: You may well need your umbrella.

9. In a prudent or sensible manner: You would do well to say nothing more.

10. In a close or familiar manner: knew them well.

11. In a favorable or approving manner: spoke well of them.

12. Thoroughly; completely: well cooked; cooked well.

13. Perfectly; clearly: I well understand your intentions.

14. To a suitable or appropriate degree: This product will answer your needs equally well.

15. To a considerable extent or degree: well over the estimate.

16. With care or attention: listened well.

17. Entirely; fully: well worth seeing.

adj. better, best

1. In a satisfactory condition; right or proper: All is well.

a. Not ailing, infirm, or diseased; healthy. See Synonyms at healthy.

b. Cured or healed, as a wound.

c. Of or characterized by the maintenance of good health practices. Often used in combination: a well-baby clinic; a well-child visit to the doctor.

a. Advisable; prudent: It would be well not to ask.

b. Fortunate; good: It is well that you stayed.

interj.

1. Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation.

2. Used to express surprise.

Idioms:

as well

1. In addition; also: mentioned other matters as well.

2. With equal effect: I might as well go.

in well with Informal

In a position to influence or be favored by: He's in well with management.

[Middle English wel, from Old English; see wel-¹ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: English speakers have used well both as an adjective and as an adverb since Old English times. When applied to people, the adjective well usually refers to a state of health. Like similar adjectives, such as ill and faint, well in this use is normally restricted to the predicate, as in He hasn't been well lately. Well does see occasional use before a noun, as in Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Dick eats like a well man, and drinks like a sick." It also appears in compound adjectives like well-baby and well-child, which are widely used by health-care providers. Good, on the other hand, has a much wider range of senses, including "attractive," as in He looks good, and "competent," as in She's pretty good for a beginner, as well as "healthy." See Usage Note at good.

bet·tor also bet·ter

(bĕtər)

One that bets or places a bet.

good

(gd)

adj. bet·ter (bĕtər), best (bĕst)

1. Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor: a good experience; good news from the hospital.

a. Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing: a good exterior paint; a good joke.

b. Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable: Is this a good dress for the party?

a. Not spoiled or ruined: The milk is still good.

b. In excellent condition; sound: a good tooth.

a. Superior to the average; satisfactory: a good student.

b. Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.

a. Of high quality: good books.

b. Discriminating: good taste.

a. Of moral excellence; upright: a good person.

b. Benevolent; kind: a good soul; a good heart.

c. Loyal; staunch: a good Republican.

d. Well-behaved; obedient: a good child.

e. Socially correct; proper: good manners.

7. Worthy of respect; honorable: ruined the family's good name.

8. Attractive; handsome: good looks.

9. Beneficial to health; salutary: a good night's rest.

10. Competent; skilled: a good machinist.

11. Complete; thorough: a good workout.

12.

a. Reliable; sure: a good investment.

b. Valid or true: a good reason.

c. Genuine; real: a good dollar bill.

13.

a. In effect; operative: a warranty good for two years; a driver's license that is still good.

b. Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity: I'm good for another round of golf.

14.

a. Able to pay or contribute: Is she good for the money that you lent her?

b. Able to elicit a specified reaction: He is always good for a laugh.

15.

a. Ample; substantial: a good income.

b. Bountiful: a good table.

16. Full: It is a good mile from here.

17.

a. Pleasant; enjoyable: had a good time at the party.

b. Propitious; favorable: good weather; a good omen.

18. Sports

a. Landing within bounds or within a particular area of a court and therefore in play: The first serve was wide, but the second was good.

b. Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.

19. Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay: Good heavens! Good grief!

a. Something that is good.

b. A good, valuable, or useful part or aspect.

2. Welfare; benefit: for the common good.

3. Goodness; virtue: There is much good to be found in people.

a. A product that is bought and sold: frozen goods.

b. goods Portable personal property.

c. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Fabric; material.

5. goods Slang Incriminating information or evidence: tried to get the goods on the crook.

adv.
Informal

Well.

Idioms:

as good as

Practically; nearly: as good as new.

but good

Informal Used as an intensive: The pipe started to leak but good.

for good

Permanently; forever: I'm moving to Europe for good.

good and

Informal Very; thoroughly: I'll do it when I'm good and ready.

no good Informal

1. Worthless.

2. Futile; useless: It's no good arguing with them.

to the good

1. For the best; advantageous.

2. In an advantageous financial position: ended up to the good.

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

Usage Note: In standard usage, good is an adjective, and the only verbs it should be used with are linking verbs such as be, seem, or appear: The future looks good. The soup tastes good. It should not be used as an adverb with other verbs: The car runs well (not good). Thus, The dress fits well and looks good. See Usage Note at well².

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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