/ ˈbetə(r); NAmE / adjective , adverb , noun , verb
■ adjective (comparative of good )
1.
of a higher standard or less poor quality; not as bad as sth else :
We're hoping for better weather tomorrow.
Her work is getting better and better .
He is in a much better mood than usual.
The meal couldn't have been better.
There's nothing better than a long soak in a hot bath.
If you can only exercise once a week, that's better than nothing (= better than taking no exercise at all) .
2.
more able or skilled :
She's far better at science than her brother.
3.
more suitable or appropriate :
Can you think of a better word than 'nice'?
It would be better for him to talk to his parents about his problems.
You'd be better going by bus.
4.
less ill / sick or unhappy :
She's a lot better today.
His leg was getting better.
You'll feel all the better for a good night's sleep.
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IDIOMS
Most idioms containing better are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example better luck next time is at luck .
- little / no better than
- that's (much) better
- the bigger, smaller, faster, slower, etc. the better
—more at discretion , head noun , part noun , prevention
■ adverb (comparative of well )
1.
in a more excellent or pleasant way; not as badly :
She sings much better than I do.
Sound travels better in water than in air.
People are better educated now.
2.
more; to a greater degree :
You'll like her when you know her better.
A cup of tea? There's nothing I'd like better!
Fit people are better able to cope with stress.
3.
used to suggest that sth would be a suitable or appropriate thing to do :
The money could be better spent on more urgent cases.
Some things are better left unsaid.
You'd do better to tell her everything before she finds out from someone else.
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IDIOMS
Most idioms containing better are at the entries for the nouns, adjectives and verbs in the idioms, for example better the devil you know is at devil .
- be better off
- be better off (doing sth)
- had better / best (do sth)
■ noun
1.
[ sing. , U ] something that is better :
the better of the two books
I expected better of him (= I thought he would have behaved better) .
2.
your betters [ pl. ] ( old-fashioned ) people who are more intelligent or more important than you
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IDIOMS
- for better or (for) worse
- get the better of sb/sth
- so much the better / worse
—more at change noun , elder noun , think verb
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
[ often passive ] to be better or do sth better than sb/sth else :
The work he produced early in his career has never really been bettered.
2.
better yourself to improve your social position through education, a better job, etc. :
Thousands of Victorian workers joined educational associations in an attempt to better themselves.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English betera (adjective), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch beter and German besser , also to best .