Definition of Better

1. Noun. Something superior in quality or condition or effect. "A change for the better"

Generic synonyms: Good, Goodness

2. Verb. Surpass in excellence. "Break a record"
Exact synonyms: Break
Generic synonyms: Exceed, Outdo, Outgo, Outmatch, Outperform, Outstrip, Surmount, Surpass

3. Adjective. (comparative of 'good') superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another. "She's better in math than in history"
Language type: Comparative, Comparative Degree
Similar to: Amended, Finer, Improved
Antonyms: Worse

4. Adverb. Comparative of 'well'; in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc.. "Better suited to the job"

5. Noun. Someone who bets.
Exact synonyms: Bettor, Punter, Wagerer
Specialized synonyms: Taker, Caller
Generic synonyms: Gambler
Derivative terms: Bet, Bet, Punt, Wager

6. Verb. To make better. "They better their earnings this year"; "The editor improved the manuscript with his changes"

7. Adjective. (comparative of 'good') changed for the better in health or fitness. "I feel better"
Language type: Comparative, Comparative Degree
Similar to: Fitter, Healthier
Antonyms: Worse

8. Adverb. From a position of superiority or authority. "I know better."
Exact synonyms: Best

9. Noun. A superior person having claim to precedence. "The common man has been kept in his place by his betters"
Generic synonyms: Higher-up, Superior, Superordinate

10. Verb. Get better. "Their earnings better this year"; "The weather improved toward evening"

11. Adjective. (comparative and superlative of 'well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable. "The White House thought it best not to respond"
Exact synonyms: Best
Language type: Comparative, Comparative Degree
Similar to: Advisable

12. Noun. The superior one of two alternatives. "Chose the better of the two"
Generic synonyms: Good, Goodness

13. Adjective. More than half. "Argued for the better part of an hour"
Similar to: Major

Definition of Better

1. a. Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a better air.

2. n. Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of; as, to get the better of an enemy.

3. adv. In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as, Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than recruits.

4. v. t. To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of.

5. v. i. To become better; to improve.

6. n. One who bets or lays a wager.

Definition of Better

1. Adjective. (comparative of good or well lang=English POS=adjective) ¹

2. Adverb. (comparative of well lang=English POS=adverb) ¹

3. Verb. (transitive) To improve. ¹

4. Verb. Had better. ¹

5. Noun. An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another. ¹

6. Noun. (alternative spelling of bettor) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Better

1. to improve [v -ED, -ING, -S] - See also: improve

Medical Definition of Better

1. Compar. Of Good. [OE. Betere, bettre, and as adv. Bet, AS. Betera, adj, and bet, adv.; akin to Icel. Betri, adj, betr, adv, Goth. Batiza, adj, OHG. Bezziro, adj, baz, adv, G. Besser, adj. And adv, bass, adv, E. Boot, and prob. To Skr. Bhadra excellent. See Boot advantage, and cf. Best, Batful. 1. Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a better air. "Could make the worse appear The better reason." (Milton) 2. Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness, acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect. "To obey is better than sacrifice." (1 Sam. Xv. 22) "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." (Ps. Cxviii. 9) 3. Greater in amount; larger; more. 4. Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better. 5. More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance; a better knowledge of the subject. All the better. See All, Better half, an expression used to designate one's wife. "My dear, my better half (said he), I find I must now leave thee." (Sir P. Sidney) To be better off, to be in a better condition. Had better. (See Had). The phrase had better, followed by an infinitive without to, is idiomatic. The earliest form of construction was "were better" with a dative; as, "Him were better go beside." i. E, It would be better for him, etc. at length the nominative (I, he, they, etc) supplanted the dative and had took the place of were. Thus we have the construction now used. "By all that's holy, he had better starve Than but once think this place becomes thee not." (Shak) 1. To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of. "Love betters what is best." (Wordsworth) "He thought to better his circumstances." (Thackeray) 2. To improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise. "The constant effort of every man to better himself." (Macaulay) 3. To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel. "The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered." (Hooker) 4. To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of. "Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us and worse our foes." (Milton) Synonym: To improve, meliorate, ameliorate, mend, amend, correct, emend, reform, advance, promote. Origin: AS. Beterian, betrian, fr. Betera better. See Better. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Better

betrothment
betrothments
betroths
betrousered
betrow
betrust
betrusted
betrusting
betrustment
betrustments
bets
betta
bettable
bettas
betted
better (current term)
better(p)
better-built
better-hung
better-known
better-looking
better-off
better an egg today than a hen tomorrow
better half
better halves
better late than never
better light
better off
better off(p)
better safe than sorry

Literary usage of Better

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Novels of Jane Austen by Jane Austen (1892)
"Sir Thomas meant to be giving Mr Rushworth's opinion in better words than he could find himself. He was aware that he must not expect a genius in Mr ..."

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