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English

{{rank|going|knew|seen|207|better|name|among|done}}

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈbɛt.ə/,
  • IPA: /ˈbet.ə/,
  • IPA: /ˈbɛt.ɚ/,
  • : An audio transcript can be found at en-us-better.ogg
  • Hyphenation: bet·ter


Etymology 1

.

Adjective

better

  1. {{comparative of|good or well|lang=English|POS=adjective}}


Related terms


Translations

Adverb

better

  1. {{comparative of|well|lang=English|POS=adverb}}


Related terms


Translations
  • Dutch:
  • French:
  • Hindi: (behtar)
  • Icelandic:

Verb

{{en-verb|betters|bettering|bettered|bettered}}

  1. To improve.


Translations
  • Swedish:

Derived terms


Etymology 2

Alternate pronunciation of or modern fomation from the the verb to .

Noun

  2. An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to or better than another.
  3. : He quickly found Ali his better in the ring.


Category:Betting

----

West Frisian

Adjective

  1. #English|better


ang:better fa:better fr:better gl:better ko:better hy:better io:better it:better kk:better ku:better lo:better hu:better nl:better ja:better pl:better pt:better simple:better fi:better ta:better te:better vi:better tr:better zh:better

GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Good \Good\, a. [Compar. Better; superl. Best. These words,
though used as the comparative and superlative of good, are
from a different root.] [AS. G[=o]d, akin to D. goed, OS.
g[=o]d, OHG. guot, G. gut, Icel. g[=o][eth]r, Sw. & Dan. god,
Goth. g[=o]ds; prob. orig., fitting, belonging together, and
akin to E. gather. [root]29 Cf. Gather.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end
designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness;
serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable;
commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive,
or troublesome, etc.
[1913 Webster]

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold,
it was very good. --Gen. i. 31.
[1913 Webster]

Good company, good wine, good welcome. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious;
religious; -- said of persons or actions.
[1913 Webster]

In all things showing thyself a pattern of good
works. --Tit. ii. 7.
[1913 Webster]

3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite;
propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by
to or toward, also formerly by unto.
[1913 Webster]

The men were very good unto us. --1 Sam. xxv.
15.
[1913 Webster]

4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be
relied upon; -- followed especially by for.
[1913 Webster]

All quality that is good for anything is founded
originally in merit. --Collier.
[1913 Webster]

5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed
especially by at.
[1913 Webster]

He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]

Those are generally good at flattering who are good
for nothing else. --South.
[1913 Webster]

6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious;
valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the
discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary
ability; of unimpaired credit.
[1913 Webster]

My reasons are both good and weighty. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that
he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]

7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest;
in good sooth.
[1913 Webster]

Love no man in good earnest. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable;
esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good
degree, a good share or part, etc.
[1913 Webster]

9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.
[1913 Webster]

Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and
running over. --Luke vi. 38.
[1913 Webster]

10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied;
as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good
repute, etc.
[1913 Webster]

A good name is better than precious ointment.
--Eccl. vii.
1.
[1913 Webster]

As good as. See under As.

For good, or For good and all, completely and finally;
fully; truly.
[1913 Webster]

The good woman never died after this, till she came
to die for good and all. --L'Estrange.

Good breeding, polite or polished manners, formed by
education; a polite education.
[1913 Webster]

Distinguished by good humor and good breeding.
--Macaulay.

Good cheap, literally, good bargain; reasonably cheap.

Good consideration (Law).
(a) A consideration of blood or of natural love and
affection. --Blackstone.
(b) A valuable consideration, or one which will sustain a
contract.

Good fellow, a person of companionable qualities.
[Familiar]

Good folk, or Good people, fairies; brownies; pixies,
etc. [Colloq. Eng. & Scot.]

Good for nothing.
(a) Of no value; useless; worthless.
(b) Used substantively, an idle, worthless person.
[1913 Webster]

My father always said I was born to be a good
for nothing. --Ld. Lytton.

Good Friday, the Friday of Holy Week, kept in some churches
as a fast, in memoory of our Savior's passion or
suffering; the anniversary of the crucifixion.

Good humor, or Good-humor, a cheerful or pleasant temper
or state of mind.

Good humor man, a travelling vendor who sells Good Humor
ice-cream (or some similar ice-cream) from a small
refrigerated truck; he usually drives slowly through
residential neighborhoods in summertime, loudly playing
some distinctive recorded music to announce his presence.
[U. S.]

Good nature, or Good-nature, habitual kindness or
mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of
being in good humor.
[1913 Webster]

The good nature and generosity which belonged to his
character. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]

The young count's good nature and easy
persuadability were among his best characteristics.
--Hawthorne.

Good people. See Good folk (above).

Good speed, good luck; good success; godspeed; -- an old
form of wishing success. See Speed.

Good turn, an act of kidness; a favor.

Good will.
(a) Benevolence; well wishing; kindly feeling.
(b) (Law) The custom of any trade or business; the
tendency or inclination of persons, old customers and
others, to resort to an established place of
business; the advantage accruing from tendency or
inclination.
[1913 Webster]

The good will of a trade is nothing more than
the probability that the old customers will
resort to the old place. --Lord Eldon.

In good time.
(a) Promptly; punctually; opportunely; not too soon nor
too late.
(b) (Mus.) Correctly; in proper time.

To hold good, to remain true or valid; to be operative; to
remain in force or effect; as, his promise holds good; the
condition still holds good.

To make good, to fulfill; to establish; to maintain; to
supply (a defect or deficiency); to indemmify; to prove or
verify (an accusation); to prove to be blameless; to
clear; to vindicate.
[1913 Webster]

Each word made good and true. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

Of no power to make his wishes good. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

I . . . would by combat make her good. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

Convenient numbers to make good the city. --Shak.

To think good, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with;
to consider expedient or proper.
[1913 Webster]

If ye think good, give me my price; and if not,
forbear. --Zech. xi.
12.
[1913 Webster]

Note: Good, in the sense of wishing well, is much used in
greeting and leave-taking; as, good day, good night,
good evening, good morning, etc.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Better \Bet"ter\, a.; 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.
[1913 Webster]

Could make the worse appear
The better reason. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]

2. Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness,
acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect.
[1913 Webster]

To obey is better than sacrifice. --1 Sam. xv.
22.
[1913 Webster]

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put
confidence in princes. --Ps. cxviii.
9.
[1913 Webster]

3. Greater in amount; larger; more.
[1913 Webster]

4. Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the
patient is better.
[1913 Webster]

5. More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance;
a better knowledge of the subject.
[1913 Webster]

All the better. See under All, adv.

Better half, an expression used to designate one's wife.
[1913 Webster]

My dear, my better half (said he),
I find I must now leave thee. --Sir P.
Sidney.
[1913 Webster]

To be better off, to be in a better condition.

Had better. (See under Had).

Note: 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." (--Gower.) 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.
[1913 Webster]

By all that's holy, he had better starve
Than but once think this place becomes thee not.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Better \Bet"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bettered; p. pr. & vb.
n. Bettering.] [AS. beterian, betrian, fr. betera better.
See Better, a.]
1. To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities
of.
[1913 Webster]

Love betters what is best. --Wordsworth.
[1913 Webster]

He thought to better his circumstances. --Thackeray.
[1913 Webster]

2. To improve the condition of, morally, physically,
financially, socially, or otherwise.
[1913 Webster]

The constant effort of every man to better himself.
--Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]

3. To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
[1913 Webster]

The works of nature do always aim at that which can
not be bettered. --Hooker.
[1913 Webster]

4. To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest
of. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]

Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
May serve to better us and worse our foes. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]

Syn: To improve; meliorate; ameliorate; mend; amend; correct;
emend; reform; advance; promote.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Better \Bet"ter\, n.
1. Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of;
as, to get the better of an enemy.
[1913 Webster]

2. One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in
merit, social standing, etc.; -- usually in the plural.
[1913 Webster]

Their betters would hardly be found. --Hooker.
[1913 Webster]

For the better, in the way of improvement; so as to produce
improvement. "If I have altered him anywhere for the
better." --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Better \Bet"ter\, adv.; compar. of Well.
1. 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.
[1913 Webster]

I could have better spared a better man. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

2. More correctly or thoroughly.
[1913 Webster]

The better to understand the extent of our
knowledge. --Locke.
[1913 Webster]

3. In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one
better than another.
[1913 Webster]

Never was monarch better feared, and loved. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

4. More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten
miles and better. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]

To think better of (any one), to have a more favorable
opinion of any one.

To think better of (an opinion, resolution, etc.), to
reconsider and alter one's decision.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Better \Bet"ter\, v. i.
To become better; to improve. --Carlyle.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Better \Bet"ter\, n.
One who bets or lays a wager.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet well
adj 1: in good health especially after having suffered illness or
injury; "appears to be entirely well"; "the wound is
nearly well"; "a well man"; "I think I'm well; at
least I feel well" [ant: ill]
2: resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there";
"it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw
you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: good, well(p)]
3: wise or advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be well
to start early" [syn: well(p)]
n 1: a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil
or gas or brine
2: a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
3: an abundant source; "she was a well of information" [syn: wellspring,
fountainhead]
4: an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a
stairway)
5: an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding
something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for
protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
adv 1: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or
satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a
nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the
children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party
went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis";
"a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty
good" [syn: good] [ant: ill]
2: thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining
form; "The problem is well understood"; "she was well
informed"; "shake well before using"; "in order to avoid
food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked";
"well-done beef", "well-satisfied customers";
"well-educated"
3: indicating high probability; in all likelihood; "I might
well do it"; "a mistake that could easily have ended in
disaster"; "you may well need your umbrella"; "he could
equally well be trying to deceive us" [syn: easily]
4: (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully;
"a book well worth reading"; "was well aware of the
difficulties ahead"; "suspected only too well what might
be going on"
5: to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree; "the project
was well underway"; "the fetus has well developed organs";
"his father was well pleased with his grades"
6: favorably; with approval; "their neighbors spoke well of
them"; "he thought well of the book" [ant: ill]
7: to a great extent or degree; "I'm afraid the film was well
over budget"; "painting the room white made it seem
considerably (or substantially) larger"; "the house has
fallen considerably in value"; "the price went up
substantially" [syn: considerably, substantially]
8: with great or especially intimate knowledge; "we knew them
well" [syn: intimately]
9: with prudence or propriety; "You would do well to say
nothing more"; "could not well refuse"
10: with skill or in a pleasing manner; "she dances well"; "he
writes well" [ant: badly]
11: in a manner affording benefit or advantage; "she married
well"; "The children were settled advantageously in
Seattle" [syn: advantageously] [ant: badly, badly]
12: in financial comfort; "They live well"; "she has been able
to live comfortably since her husband died" [syn: comfortably]
13: without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor;
"took the joke well"; "took the tragic news well" [ant: badly]
v : come up; "Tears well in her eyes" [syn: swell]
[also: better, best]
WordNet better
See well
WordNet better
adj 1: (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; "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din";
"a better coat"; "a better type of car"; "a suit with
a better fit"; "a better chance of success"; "produced
a better mousetrap"; "she's better in math than in
history" [ant: worse]
2: (comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or
fitness; "her health is better now"; "I feel better" [ant:
worse]
3: (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more
advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be better to
speak to him"; "the White House thought it best not to
respond" [syn: better(p), best(p)]
4: more than half; "argued for the better part of an hour"
n 1: one having claim to precedence; a superior; "the common man
has been kept in his place by his betters"
2: someone who bets [syn: bettor, wagerer, punter]
3: the superior one of two alternatives; "chose the better of
the two"
adv 1: comparative of `well'; in a better or more excellent manner
or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater
degree etc.; "She had never sung better"; "a deed
better left undone"; "better suited to the job"
2: from a position of superiority or authority; "father knows
best"; "I know better." [syn: best]
v 1: surpass in excellence; "She bettered her own record"; "break
a record" [syn: break]
2: to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his
changes" [syn: improve, amend, ameliorate, meliorate]
[ant: worsen]
3: get better; "The weather improved toward evening" [syn: improve,
ameliorate, meliorate] [ant: worsen]
WordNet better
See good
WordNet good
adj 1: having desirable or positive qualities especially those
suitable for a thing specified; "good news from the
hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good
she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for
cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table";
"a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior
paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the
office" [ant: bad]
2: having the normally expected amount; "gives full measure";
"gives good measure"; "a good mile from here" [syn: full]
3: morally admirable [ant: evil]
4: deserving of esteem and respect; "all respectable companies
give guarantees"; "ruined the family's good name" [syn: estimable,
honorable, respectable]
5: promoting or enhancing well-being; "an arms limitation
agreement beneficial to all countries"; "the beneficial
effects of a temperate climate"; "the experience was good
for her" [syn: beneficial]
6: superior to the average; "in fine spirits"; "a fine
student"; "made good grades"; "morale was good"; "had good
weather for the parade" [syn: fine]
7: agreeable or pleasing; "we all had a good time"; "good
manners"
8: of moral excellence; "a genuinely good person"; "a just
cause"; "an upright and respectable man"; "the life of the
nation is secure only while the nation is honest,
truthful, and virtuous"- Frederick Douglass [syn: just,
upright, virtuous]
9: having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; "adept
in handicrafts"; "an adept juggler"; "an expert job"; "a
good mechanic"; "a practiced marksman"; "a proficient
engineer"; "a lesser-known but no less skillful composer";
"the effect was achieved by skillful retouching" [syn: adept,
expert, practiced, proficient, skillful, skilful]
10: thorough; "had a good workout"; "gave the house a good
cleaning"
11: with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good
friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear"
[syn: dear, near]
12: having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the
welfare or happiness of others; "his benevolent smile";
"a benevolent nature" [syn: benevolent] [ant: malevolent]
13: financially sound; "a good investment"; "a secure
investment" [syn: dependable, safe, secure]
14: most suitable or right for a particular purpose; "a good
time to plant tomatoes"; "the right time to act"; "the
time is ripe for great sociological changes" [syn: right,
ripe]
15: resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there";
"it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw
you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: well(p)]
16: exerting force or influence; "the law is effective
immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law
is already in effect (or in force)" [syn: effective, {in
effect(p)}, in force(p)]
17: feeling healthy and free of aches and pains; "I feel good"
[syn: good(p)]
18: capable of pleasing; "good looks"
19: appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book" [syn:
serious]
20: in excellent physical condition; "good teeth"; "I still have
one good leg"; "a sound mind in a sound body" [syn: sound]
21: tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to
health; "beneficial effects of a balanced diet"; "a good
night's sleep"; "the salutary influence of pure air"
[syn: beneficial, salutary]
22: not forged; "a good dollar bill"
23: not left to spoil; "the meat is still good" [syn: unspoiled,
unspoilt]
24: generally admired; "good taste"
n 1: benefit; "for your own good"; "what's the good of worrying?"
2: moral excellence or admirableness; "there is much good to be
found in people" [syn: goodness] [ant: evil, evil]
3: that which is good or valuable or useful; "weigh the good
against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are
happiness and self-realization" [syn: goodness] [ant: bad,
bad]
adv 1: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or
satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a
nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the
children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party
went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis";
"a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty
good" [syn: well] [ant: ill]
2: in a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used
informally for `thoroughly'); "he was soundly defeated";
"we beat him good" [syn: thoroughly, soundly]
[also: better, best]
Moby Dictionary
a cut above , above , accommodate , acculturate , adapt , adjust ,
advance , advantage , ahead , alter , altered , ameliorate , amend ,
ascendant , beat , best , better for , better off , bettor , bigger ,
boost , brass hat , break up , bring forward , cap , capping , change ,
changeable , changed , choice , chosen , civilize , control , convert ,
converted , cured , deform , degenerate , denature , desirable , deviant ,
distinguished , divergent , diversify , eclipsing , edify , educate ,
elder , elevate , emend , eminent , enhance , enlighten , enrich , exceed ,
exceeding , excel , excellent , excelling , exceptional , fatten , favor ,
favored , favoring , finer , fit , forward , foster , gambler , gamester ,
go one better , go straight , greater , happier , help , higher ,
higher-up , improve , improve on , improve upon , improved ,
in ascendancy , in the ascendant , lard , larger , lift , major ,
make an improvement , marked , mastery , meliorate , mend ,
metamorphosed , metastasized , mitigate , modified , modify , modulate ,
more , more desirable , most , mutant , mutate , nurture , of choice ,
one up on , outdo , outshine , outstanding , outstrip , outweigh , over ,
overbalance , overbear , overcome , overpass , overthrow , overtop ,
perfect , predominate , preferable , preferably , preferential ,
preferred , preferring , preponderate , prevail , promote , punter ,
qualified , qualify , raise , rare , re-create , realign , rebuild ,
rebuilt , reconsider , reconstruct , recovered , redesign , refine upon ,
refit , reform , reformed , remake , renew , renewed , reshape ,
restructure , revamp , revive , revived , revolutionary , richer ,
ring the changes , rivaling , senior , shift the scene ,
shuffle the cards , socialize , speculator , sport , straighten out ,
subversive , subvert , success , super , superior , superiority ,
superiors , surpass , surpassing , think better of , think twice ,
to be preferred , top , topping , tower above , tower over , transcend ,
transcendent , transcendental , transcending , transfigure , transform ,
transformed , translated , transmuted , triumph , trump ,
turn the scale , turn the tables , turn the tide , turn upside down ,
unmitigated , upgrade , uplift , upper , vary , wagerer , wealthier ,
well-advised , win , wiser , work a change , worse , worsen


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