Better

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈbÉ›tÉ™(ɹ)/
• GenAm IPA: /ˈbÉ›tÉš/, ˈbɛɾɚ
• AusE IPA: /ˈbetÉ™(ɹ)/, ˈbeɾə(ɹ)
• Rhymes: -É›tÉ™(r)
• Hyphenation: bet + ter

From Middle English better, bettre, betre, from Old English betera ("better"), from Proto-Germanic *batizô ("better"), from Proto-Indo-European *bhAd- ("good"). Cognate with Sanskrit भद्र (bhadrá, "blessed, fortunate, happy, good"). For Germanic cognates: see Proto-Germanic *batizô. Verb is from Middle English beteren, from Old English beterian ("to make better, improve"). Related to best. Compare also Icelandic batna ("to improve"), Icelandic bót ("improvement"). More at batten, boot.

Adjective

1. better

   (comparative of good)

2. better

   (comparative of well)

Derived terms

Related terms

• best
• better than nothing
• better the devil you know

Adverb

1. better

   (comparative of well)
• 1901, Louis Couperus, (translator), ,“I’ve had enough of cycling with you chaps. I can spend my Sundays better than in tormenting cats and quarrelling and fighting.”
2. More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.ten miles and better

Derived terms

• had better
• 'd better

Related terms

• best

Full definition of better

Verb

1. (transitive) To improve.
• WordsworthLove betters what is best.
• ThackerayHe thought to better his circumstances.
• Macaulaythe constant effort of every man to better himself
2. (intransitive) To become better; to improve.
3. (transitive) To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
• HookerThe works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered.
4. (transitive) To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.
• MiltonWeapons more violent, when next we meet,
  May serve to better us and worse our foes.
5. (slang) Had better.You better do that if you know what's good for you.

Derived terms

• betterer
• betterment

Synonyms

Noun

1. An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior.He quickly found Ali his better in the ring.
• HookerTheir betters would hardly be found.

Derived terms

• get the better of

Alternate pronunciation of bettor or modern formation from the verb to bet.

Noun

1. Alternative spelling of bettor