'Better' definitions:

Definition of 'better'

From: WordNet
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"
adverb
From a position of superiority or authority; "father knows best"; "I know better." [syn: better, best]
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; "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]
adjective
(comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or fitness; "her health is better now"; "I feel better" [ant: worse, worsened]
adjective
(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)]
adjective
More than half; "argued for the better part of an hour"
noun
Something superior in quality or condition or effect; "a change for the better"
noun
Someone who bets [syn: bettor, better, wagerer, punter]
noun
A superior person having claim to precedence; "the common man has been kept in his place by his betters"
noun
The superior one of two alternatives; "chose the better of the two"
verb
Surpass in excellence; "She bettered her own record"; "break a record" [syn: better, break]
verb
To make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his changes" [syn: better, improve, amend, ameliorate, meliorate] [ant: aggravate, exacerbate, exasperate, worsen]
verb
Get better; "The weather improved toward evening" [syn: better, improve, ameliorate, meliorate] [ant: decline, worsen]

Definition of 'Better'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Better'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Better'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Better'

From: GCIDE
  • Better \Bet"ter\, v. i. To become better; to improve. --Carlyle. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Better'

From: GCIDE
  • Better \Bet"ter\, n. One who bets or lays a wager. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Better'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Better'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Synonyms of 'better'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Better'