Definitions for betterˈbɛt ər

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

bet•ter^*ˈbɛt ər(adj.)

of superior quality or excellence:
a better coat.
morally superior:
no better than thieves.
of superior suitability; preferable:
a better time for action.
larger; greater:
the better part of a lifetime.
improved in health; healthier than before.
(adv.)in a more appropriate manner:
to behave better.
to a greater degree; more completely:
knows the way better than I.
more:
lives better than a mile away.
(v.t.)to make better; improve:
to better the lot of the needy.
to improve upon:
bettered last year's production record.
(n.)something that is preferable:
the better of two choices.
Usu., betters. those superior to oneself.

Idioms for better:

better off, in better circumstances. more fortunate; happier.
Category: Idiom
get or have the better of, to get an advantage over. to prevail against.
Category: Idiom
go (someone) one better, to exceed another's efforts; surpass.
Category: Idiom
had better or best, ought to.
Category: Idiom

^* Syn: See improve.

Origin of better:

bef. 900; ME bettre, OE bet(t)(e)ra

bet•terˈbɛt ər(n.)

Ref: bettor .

Princeton's WordNet

better(noun)
something superior in quality or condition or effect
"a change for the better"
bettor, better, wagerer, punter(noun)
someone who bets
better(noun)
a superior person having claim to precedence
"the common man has been kept in his place by his betters"
better(adj)
the superior one of two alternatives
"chose the better of the two"
better(adj)
(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"
better(adj)
(comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or fitness
"her health is better now"; "I feel better"
better(p), best(p)(adj)
(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"
better(verb)
more than half
"argued for the better part of an hour"
better, break(verb)
surpass in excellence
"She bettered her own record"; "break a record"
better, improve, amend, ameliorate, meliorate(verb)
to make better
"The editor improved the manuscript with his changes"
better, improve, ameliorate, meliorate(adverb)
get better
"The weather improved toward evening"
better(adverb)
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"
better, best(adverb)
from a position of superiority or authority
"father knows best"; "I know better."

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

better(adjective)ˈbɛt ər
of higher quality, or more useful, exciting, etc. than others
a better driver than my brother; This wine tastes much better.; The weather is getting better.; The firewall is better than nothing, but not safe enough.
betterˈbɛt ər
more healthy than before
Hope you get better soon.; My throat's feeling better.
betterˈbɛt ər
indicates what you think should happen
It's always better to ask a doctor.
better(adverb)ˈbɛt ər
in a way that is of a higher standard, quality, etc.
She sings better than I do.; I did better on the test than anyone.
betterˈbɛt ər
indicates you think it is better for sth to happen late than not to happen
I haven't called in a while, but better late than never.; Bring all your friends - the more people the better!
betterˈbɛt ər
indicates what sb should do
You'd better go home now.
better(noun)ˈbɛt ər
to gain an advantage over sb
finally got the better of his opponent
betterˈbɛt ər
indicates that a feeling is too strong to ignore
Curiosity got the better of me.

Webster Dictionary

Better(adj)
having good qualities in a greater degree than another; as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a better air
Better(adj)
preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness, acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect
Better(adj)
greater in amount; larger; more
Better(adj)
improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better
Better(adj)
more advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance; a better knowledge of the subject
Better(noun)
advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of; as, to get the better of an enemy
Better(noun)
one who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in merit, social standing, etc.; -- usually in the plural
Better(u)
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
Better(u)
more correctly or thoroughly
Better(u)
in a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one better than another
Better(u)
more, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten miles and better
Better(adj)
to improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of
Better(adj)
to improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise
Better(adj)
to surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel
Better(adj)
to give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of
Better(verb)
to become better; to improve
Better(noun)
one who bets or lays a wager