better
BEHT-uh
Better (adj) means of higher quality, more suitable, or more desirable than something else being compared. Example: “This laptop has a better battery life than my old one.”
adj
1
Of higher quality, more suitable, or more desirable than something else being compared.
"This laptop has a better battery life than my old one."
"She felt much better after a good night's sleep."
"I think the second film is better than the first one."
verb
1
To make something improve, or to improve on a previous result.
"He bettered his personal best by two seconds."
"The company is always looking to better its customer service."
"The school hopes to better its exam results over the next few years."
noun
1
Someone or something regarded as superior to another.
"She proved herself the better of the two candidates."
"Her younger brother is her better at chess, and she knows it."
"Whenever you meet your betters, remember to be polite and listen carefully."
How to use better
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe comparative form of "good" — used for comparing two things, and as a verb meaning "to improve" or "to beat."
Common mistake
Don't confuse the verb "to better" (improve) with "bettor," a person who places a bet, or with "batter."
Common pairings
for the better
better off
better yet
get better
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Word forms
- Plural
- betters
- Third person singular
- betters
- Past tense
- bettered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This laptop has a _____ battery life than my old one.
Etymology
From Old English betera, going back to a Germanic root meaning "good," the same ancestor that gives us "best" and, more distantly, "battle."
Synonyms
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superior
finer
preferable
improved
greater
higher-quality
more desirable
best
break
amend
meliorate
ameliorate
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for better
See all rhymes for better →Frequently asked questions
What does “better” mean?
The word “better” means of higher quality, more suitable, or more desirable than something else being compared. In plain terms, the comparative form of "good" — used for comparing two things, and as a verb meaning "to improve" or "to beat.".
How do you pronounce “better”?
“Better” is pronounced BEHT-uh ([ˈbɛɾ.ɚ] in IPA).
How do you use “better” in a sentence?
Here is “better” used in a sentence: “This laptop has a better battery life than my old one.”
What part of speech is “better”?
Depending on how it is used, “better” can be an adjective, a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “better” come from?
The word “better” comes from Old English. From Old English betera, going back to a Germanic root meaning "good," the same ancestor that gives us "best" and, more distantly, "battle.".
Is “better” a common word?
“Better” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “better” have?
“Better” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of higher quality, more suitable, or more desirable than something else being compared.
What is the difference between 'better' and 'bettor'?
'Better' means of higher quality or more desirable — 'a better result.' A 'bettor' is a person who bets, especially on races or games. They sound alike but are unrelated: 'better' is usually an adjective or adverb, while 'bettor' is a noun for a gambler. The '-or' spelling marks the person who wagers.
What is the difference between 'better' and 'batter'?
The two only sound similar. 'Better' is the comparative of 'good,' meaning superior. 'Batter' has several meanings: a runny mixture for cooking, as in pancake batter; the act of striking something repeatedly; or, in baseball, the player at bat. Context and spelling keep them clearly apart.
Is 'better' the same as 'best'?
No. 'Better' compares two things — 'this one is better than that one.' 'Best' marks the top of three or more — 'the best of them all.' 'Better' is the comparative form and 'best' the superlative, both built from 'good.' Using 'best' when only two items are in play is a common slip.
What is the opposite of 'better'?
The opposite is 'worse,' meaning of lower quality or less desirable. 'Better' is the comparative of 'good,' and 'worse' is the comparative of 'bad.' When comparing three or more things, the top choice becomes 'best' and the bottom 'worst,' so 'better' sits one step up on a scale of quality.
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