better

adjective
UK: /ˈbetər/
US: /ˈbedər/

  1. More satisfactory, pleasing, or effective.

    1. This chair is better than that one. [ ] [ ]
    2. I think a smaller car might be better for city driving. [ ] [ ]

  2. In improved health; recovered from illness.

    1. I'm feeling much better today, thank you. [ ] [ ]
    2. She's been taking her medicine and seems to be getting better gradually. [ ] [ ]

  3. More skilled or competent.

    1. He is a better player than I am. [ ] [ ]
    2. With practice, you'll become a better cook than you think. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

preferable improve excel superior advance
better verb

  1. To improve upon; surpass.

    1. I hope to better my previous score. [ ] [ ]
    2. The company aims to better its sales figures from last year. [ ] [ ]

  2. To improve the condition or quality of something.

    1. We should try to better our community. [ ] [ ]
    2. Education can better your chances of finding a good job. [ ] [ ]
better adverb

  1. In a more excellent or effective manner.

    1. She can sing better than I can. [ ] [ ]
    2. It would be better to take the train instead of driving in this weather. [ ] [ ]

  2. To a greater degree; more.

    1. I know him better than you do. [ ] [ ]
    2. The team played better in the second half of the game. [ ] [ ]
better noun

  1. Something that is of a higher standard or more advantageous.

    1. He deserves better than this. [ ] [ ]
    2. She is striving for a better life for her children. [ ] [ ]
better conjunction

  1. Used to indicate that one thing is preferable or more desirable than another.

    1. I'd better go now, it's getting late. [ ] [ ]
    2. You had better apologize, or you'll be in serious trouble. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "better" in English means: More satisfactory, pleasing, or effective., In improved health; recovered from illness., More skilled or competent..

The phonetic transcription of "better" is /ˈbetər/ in British English and /ˈbedər/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "better": preferable, improve, excel, superior, advance.

Example usage of "better": "This chair is better than that one.". More examples on the page.