DictionaryAI

better

BET-ur/ˈbɛt.əɹ/UKBET-uh/ˈbɛt.ə/

Verbbetters, bettering, bettered

9 meanings of better

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Comparative of good. Of higher quality, more suitable, or more advantageous.

    Critics agreed the sequel was better than the original film.

    A handwritten note often makes a better impression than an email.

    UsageUse better than for comparisons, and much better or far better for emphasis (not incorrect: more better).

    Note

    Good has no -er form of its own. Firefly's "Shindig" (2002) shows the plain comparison at work: told he thinks he is better than other people, Mal replies, "Just the ones I'm better than."

    Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

    • Shindig is a Firefly episode first broadcast in 2002. en.wikipedia.org
    • Mal replies with the quoted words after Badger says he thinks he is better than other people. en.wikiquote.org
  2. 2
    adverb
    Comparative of well: in a more skillful, effective, or successful way, or to a greater degree, as in liking one thing better than another.

    He performs better under pressure than in rehearsal.

    The engine runs better since the tune-up.

    UsageUsually comes after the verb or its object: she sings better, I like tea better than coffee.

    Note

    The adverb grades how something is done: an engine runs better, a performer does better under pressure. Older English could set it before the verb, as in Shakespeare's Othello: "I could never better stead thee than now." The Couperus translation Small Souls (1914) shows the modern order: "I can spend my Sundays better."

    Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

    • Shakespeare's Othello contains the quoted example of better preceding a verb; Iago speaks the line to Roderigo. folger.edu
    • The English translation of Louis Couperus's Small Souls was published in 1914; the translator was Alexander Teixeira de Mattos. gutenberg.org
    • The quoted words occur in Small Souls, with better following the object; they are an excerpt from Addie's speech. en.wikisource.org
  3. 3
    adjective
    Healthier than before, or fully recovered from an illness or injury.

    She stayed home until she was completely better.

    He returned to training only once the doctor confirmed he was better.

    UsageAll better or completely better means fully well again; feeling better usually means only improving.

    Similarwell, healthy

    Oppositeill, sick, worse

    Note

    Here the comparison has dropped away. The patient is not better than before but simply well again.

  4. 4
    verbcolloquialauxiliarymodal
    Ought to; used as a shortened, informal form of "had better" to give firm advice or a warning.

    You better not say that to her face.

    They better hurry, or the gates will close before they arrive.

    UsageFollowed by a bare verb, with no -s: he better go, you better not (not incorrect: you better to go).

    Similarshould

    Note

    This is what remains when had better loses its had, by way of the contracted 'd better: you'd better becomes you better.

    Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

    • Modal better derives from had better through omission of had or its contracted form 'd. en.wiktionary.org
  5. 5
    improveverbtransitive
    To improve, or to make something improve, in quality, standard, or condition.

    He took night classes to better his career prospects.

    Many families moved to the city in the hope of bettering their children's lives.

    UsageCommon with yourself or your life, lot or chances: better yourself, better your chances.

    Similarimprove, enhance, advance

    Oppositeworsen

    Note

    Thackeray's Vanity Fair has a man thinking "to better his circumstances," and Macaulay writes of "the constant effort of every man to better himself." Wordsworth stretches it furthest: "Love betters what is best."

    Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

    • Thackeray's Vanity Fair describes a man thinking to better his circumstances; the narrator is describing Rebecca Sharp's father. gutenberg.org
    • Macaulay uses the exact words in his History of England, Chapter III. en.wikisource.org
    • Wordsworth uses the quoted English wording in his translation of Michelangelo, in the sonnet beginning 'No mortal object did these eyes behold.' gutenberg.org

better is a form of good

good, adjective: Having high quality or meeting a high standard, and so better than average. Full entry

Forms
goodbetter comparativebest superlative
Spelling
good → better: irregular

better is a form of well

well, adverb: In a good, competent, satisfactory, or favorable way; as one would wish. Full entry

Forms
wellbetter comparativebest superlative
Spelling
well → better: irregular

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of better apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–3, 6, 8

From Middle English "better", from Old English "betera" ("better"), which goes back through Proto-Germanic *batizô to a Proto-Indo-European root *bʰed- ("good"). It is related to "best" and has cognates such as German "besser" and Icelandic "batna" ("to improve").

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 5 facts

  • English better comes from Middle English better and Old English betera, meaning better. en.wiktionary.org
  • The word descends through Proto-Germanic *batizô from Proto-Indo-European *bʰed-, glossed good. en.wiktionary.org
  • Better is etymologically related to best. en.wiktionary.org
  • German besser is a cognate of better. en.wiktionary.org
  • Icelandic batna is etymologically related to better and means to improve. en.wiktionary.org
Meaning 4

This is a shortening of "had better" (as in "'d better").

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 5, 7, 9

From Middle English "beteren", from Old English "beterian", from Proto-Germanic *batizōną. It has cognates including Dutch "beteren" and German "bessern" ("to better").

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 5 facts