Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Comparative form of 'good': Of higher quality, more desirable, or more suitable than something else.
   • Comparative form of 'well': In improved health or condition.
   • More advisable or wiser: Representing a more advantageous or sensible choice.

2. Adverb:

   • Comparative form of 'well': In a superior or more excellent manner; to a greater degree.
   • From a position of superior knowledge or authority: Used to indicate that one knows more or should act more wisely.

3. Noun:

   • A superior alternative: The more advantageous of two choices.
   • A superior person: Someone of higher rank, skill, or moral standing.
   • An improvement: A change or condition that is superior.

4. Verb:

   • To improve: To make something superior in quality or condition.
   • To surpass: To exceed or do better than a previous standard or record.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • This is a better solution to the problem. (This solution is of higher quality.)
  • I feel better today after resting. (My health has improved.)
  • It would be better to wait for more information. (Waiting is the wiser choice.)

• Adverb:

  • She sings better than anyone I know. (She sings in a more excellent manner.)
  • You should know better than to believe that rumor. (You possess superior knowledge that should prevent you from believing it.)

• Noun:

  • Of the two options, this one is the better. (This is the superior choice.)
  • He always listened to the advice of his betters. (He listened to those of higher rank or wisdom.)
  • There has been a change for the better in his attitude. (His attitude has shown an improvement.)

• Verb:

  • The company worked to better its customer service. (The company worked to improve its service.)
  • She bettered her previous score on the exam. (She surpassed her previous exam score.)

Advanced Usage

• "Had better": Used to give strong advice or a warning about what should be done.

  • You had better finish your homework before going out. (It is strongly advisable for you to finish it.)

• "For the better": Resulting in or representing an improvement.

  • The new policy is a change for the better. (The new policy is an improvement.)

• "Think better of (something)": To reconsider and decide against a previous intention.

  • He was going to complain but thought better of it. (He reconsidered and decided not to complain.)

Variants and Related Words

• Betterment (n): The act or process of improving something; an improvement.

  • They invested in the betterment of the community.

• Better (n, variant: Bettor): A person who places a bet or wager.

  • The bettor placed money on the winning horse.

Synonyms

• Adjective/Adverb: Superior, finer, preferable, improved, wiser.
• Verb: Improve, enhance, surpass, exceed, outdo.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Better oneself: To improve one's social position, education, or financial status.

  • He took night classes to better himself and get a promotion.

• Get the better of:

  • To defeat or gain an advantage over someone.

    • Her curiosity finally got the better of her. (Her curiosity overpowered her restraint.)
  • To be superior to something.

    • In the debate, her logic got the better of his emotional appeals.

Related Idioms

• Better late than never: It is preferable for something to happen or be done late than not at all.

  • He finally apologized, which is better late than never.

• Better safe than sorry: It is wiser to be cautious and careful than to take risks and regret it later.

  • I'll take an umbrella; it's better safe than sorry.

• Know better (than to do something): To be wise or experienced enough to avoid doing something foolish.

  • A teenager should know better than to text while driving.

• For better or (for) worse: Whether the outcome is good or bad; accepting all consequences.

  • They promised to stay together for better or worse.

Adjective

1. more than half
   • argued for the better part of an hour
2. (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
3. (comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or fitness
   • her health is better now
   • I feel better
4. (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

Adverb

1. from a position of superiority or authority
   • father knows best
   • I know better.
2. 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

Noun

1. the superior one of two alternatives
   • chose the better of the two
2. a superior person having claim to precedence
   • the common man has been kept in his place by his betters
3. someone who bets
4. something superior in quality or condition or effect
   • a change for the better

Verb

1. get better
   • The weather improved toward evening
2. to make better
   • The editor improved the manuscript with his changes
3. surpass in excellence
   • She bettered her own record
   • break a record