better

[ bet-er ]

/ ˈbɛt ər /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR better ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, compar. of good with best as superl.

of superior quality or excellence: a better coat; a better speech.

morally superior; more virtuous: They are no better than thieves.

of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.; preferable: a better time for action.

larger; greater: the better part of a lifetime.

improved in health; healthier than before.

completely recovered in health.

adverb, compar. of well with best as superl.

in a more appropriate or acceptable way or manner: to behave better.

to a greater degree; more completely or thoroughly: He knows the way better than we do. I probably know him better than anyone else.

more: I walked better than a mile to town.

verb (used with object)

to increase the good qualities of; make better; improve: to better one's grades; to better the lot of the suburban commuter.

to improve upon; surpass; exceed: We have bettered last year's production record.

Cards. to raise (a previous bid).

noun

that which has greater excellence or is preferable or wiser: the better of two choices.

Usually betters. those superior to one in wisdom, wealth, etc.

Nearby words

betta, bette, betted, bettelheim, bettendorf, better, better business bureau, better half, better late than never, better off, better part of

Idioms

better off,

in better circumstances.
more fortunate; happier: Because of his asthma, he would be better off in a different climate.

better oneself, to improve one's social standing, financial position, or education: He is going to night school because he wants to better himself.

for the better, in a way that is an improvement: His health changed for the better.

get/have the better of,

to get an advantage over.
to prevail against.

go (someone) one better, to exceed the effort of; be superior to: The neighbors went us one better by buying two new cars.

had better, would be wiser or more well-advised to; ought to: We had better stay indoors today.

no better than one should be, morally inferior; immoral or amoral: Don't speak to him; he's no better than he should be!

think better of,

to reconsider and decide more favorably or wisely regarding: I was tempted to make a sarcastic retort, but thought better of it.
to form a higher opinion of: I think better of him now that he's gone back to college.

Origin of better

before 900; Middle English bettre, Old English bet(t)(e)ra; cognate with Old High German bezziro (German besser), Dutch beter, Old Norse betr, Gothic batiza, equivalent to bat- (cognate with Old High German baz (adv.) better; akin to boot²) + -iza comparative suffix; suggested relation to Sanskrit bhadrá- “fortunate” is doubtful. See best

SYNONYMS FOR better

10 amend; advance, promote; reform, correct, rectify. See improve.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR better ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

un·bet·tered, adjective

Can be confused

better bettor

Definition for better (2 of 6)

better

[ bet-er ]

/ ˈbɛt ər /

noun

bettor.

Origin of better

bet¹ + -er¹

Definition for better (3 of 6)

good

[ good ]

/ gʊd /

adjective, bet·ter, best.

morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious: a good man.

satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree: a good teacher; good health.

of high quality; excellent.

right; proper; fit: It is good that you are here. His credentials are good.

well-behaved: a good child.

kind, beneficent, or friendly: to do a good deed.

honorable or worthy; in good standing: a good name.

educated and refined: She has a good background.

financially sound or safe: His credit is good.

genuine; not counterfeit: a good quarter.

sound or valid: good judgment; good reasons.

reliable; dependable; responsible: good advice.

healthful; beneficial: Fresh fruit is good for you.

in excellent condition; healthy: good teeth.

not spoiled or tainted; edible; palatable: The meat was still good after three months in the freezer.

favorable; propitious: good news.

cheerful; optimistic; amiable: in good spirits.

free of distress or pain; comfortable: to feel good after surgery.

agreeable; pleasant: Have a good time.

attractive; handsome: She has a good figure.

(of the complexion) smooth; free from blemish.

close or intimate; warm: She's a good friend of mine.

sufficient or ample: a good supply.

advantageous; satisfactory for the purpose: a good day for fishing.

competent or skillful; clever: a good manager; good at arithmetic.

skillfully or expertly done: a really good job; a good play.

conforming to rules of grammar, usage, etc.; correct: good English.

socially proper: good manners.

remaining available to one: Don't throw good money after bad.

comparatively new or of relatively fine quality: Don't play in the mud in your good clothes.

finest or most dressy: He wore his good suit to the office today.

full: a good day's journey away.

fairly large or great: a good amount.

free from precipitation or cloudiness: good weather.

Medicine/Medical. (of a patient's condition) having stable and normal vital signs, being conscious and comfortable, and having excellent appetite, mobility, etc.

fertile; rich: good soil.

loyal: a good Democrat.

(of a return or service in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) landing within the limits of a court or section of a court.

Informal. (used when declining an offer or suggestion, as to communicate that one is already satisfied): "More coffee?" "No thanks, I’m good!"

Horse Racing. (of the surface of a track) drying after a rain so as to be still slightly sticky: This horse runs best on a good track.

(of meat, especially beef) noting or pertaining to the specific grade below “choice,” containing more lean muscle and less edible fat than “prime” or “choice.”

favorably regarded (used as an epithet for a ship, town, etc.): the good ship Syrena.

noun

profit or advantage; worth; benefit: What good will that do? We shall work for the common good.

excellence or merit; kindness: to do good.

moral righteousness; virtue: to be a power for good.

(especially in the grading of U.S. beef) an official grade below that of “choice.”

goods,

possessions, especially movable effects or personal property.
articles of trade; wares; merchandise: canned goods.
Informal. what has been promised or is expected: to deliver the goods.
Informal. the genuine article.
Informal. evidence of guilt, as stolen articles: to catch someone with the goods.
cloth or textile material: top-quality linen goods.
Chiefly British. merchandise sent by land, rather than by water or air.

the good,

the ideal of goodness or morality.
good things or persons collectively.

interjection

(used as an expression of approval or satisfaction): Good! Now we can all go home.

adverb

Informal. well¹(defs 1–3, 8): I wish I could cook this good! Yes, we knew him pretty good.

Origin of good

before 900; Middle English (adj., adv., and noun); Old English gōd (adj.); cognate with Dutch goed, German gut, Old Norse gōthr, Gothic goths

SYNONYMS FOR good

1 pure, moral, conscientious, meritorious, worthy, exemplary, upright.

2 commendable, admirable.

5 obedient, heedful.

6 kindly, benevolent, humane, gracious, obliging.

23 full, adequate.

24 profitable, useful, serviceable, beneficial.

25 efficient, proficient, capable, able, ready, suited, suitable, dexterous, expert, adroit, apt.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR good ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

qua·si-good, adjective

Can be confused

good well (see usage note at the current entry)

Synonym study

47. See property.

Usage note

Good is common as an adverb in informal speech, especially after forms of do: He did good on the test. She sees good with her new glasses. This use does not occur in formal speech or edited writing, where the adverb well is used instead: He did well on the test. She sees well with her new glasses.
The adjective good is standard after linking verbs like taste, smell, look, feel, be, and seem: Everything tastes good. The biscuits smell good. You're looking good today. When used after look or feel, good may refer to spirits as well as health: I'm feeling pretty good this morning, ready to take on the world. Well is both an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective used after look, feel, or other linking verbs, it often refers to good health: You're looking well; we missed you while you were in the hospital. See also bad.

Definition for better (4 of 6)

well

[ wel ]

/ wɛl /

adverb

in a good or satisfactory manner: Business is going well.

thoroughly, carefully, or soundly: to shake well before using; listen well.

in a moral or proper manner: to behave well.

commendably, meritoriously, or excellently: a difficult task well done.

with propriety, justice, or reason: I could not well refuse.

adequately or sufficiently: Think well before you act.

to a considerable extent or degree (often used in combination): a sum well over the amount agreed upon; a well-developed theme.

with great or intimate knowledge: to know a person well.

certainly; without doubt: I anger easily, as you well know.

with good nature; without rancor: He took the joke well.

adjective, comparative bet·ter, superlative best.

in good health; sound in body and mind: Are you well? He is not a well man.

satisfactory, pleasing, or good: All is well with us.

proper, fitting, or gratifying: It is well that you didn't go.

in a satisfactory position; well-off: I am very well as I am.

interjection

(used to express surprise, reproof, etc.): Well! There's no need to shout.

(used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.): Well, who would have thought he could do it?

noun

well-being; good fortune; success: to wish well to someone.

Origin of well

before 900; Middle English, Old English wel(l) (adj. and adv.); cognate with Dutch wel, German wohl, Old Norse vel, Gothic waila

SYNONYMS FOR well

3 properly, correctly.

4 skillfully, adeptly, accurately, efficiently.

5 suitably.

6 fully, amply.

7 rather, quite.

11 healthy, hale, hearty.

12 fine.

13 suitable, befitting, appropriate.

14 fortunate, happy.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR well ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR well

3 poorly, badly.

11 ill, sick.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR well ON THESAURUS.COM

Grammar note

Sometimes an adverb like well is so often placed in front of and combined with a certain past participle in order to modify it that the resulting adjectival combination achieves the status of a common word and is listed in dictionaries. In Dictionary.com you will find, for example, entries for well-advised and well-mannered; for ill-advised, ill-bred, and ill-conceived; and for half-baked and half-cocked. Some of these terms are given full definitions, while others are considered such obvious combinations that you can figure out for yourself what they must mean. It is important to note, however, that compound adjectives like these are hyphenated for use before the noun they modify together. Thus we say that someone is “a well-loved professor,” but there would be no hyphen between well and loved in a sentence like “My English professor is well loved and deserves the award.”
In a similar manner, adjectival compounds formed with better, best, little, lesser, least, etc., are also hyphenated when placed before the noun ( a little-understood theory ), but the hyphen is dropped when the adjectival combination follows the noun ( his films are best known in England ) or is itself modified by an adverb ( a too little understood theory ).
There are exceptions to this pattern. For example, when the combining adverb ends in –ly, no hyphen is required, whether the resulting adjectival combination appears before or after the noun: a highly regarded surgeon; a surgeon who is highly regarded.
Don’t let the hyphens fool you. Punctuation can be tricky!

Usage note

See good.

Definition for better (5 of 6)

well

[ wel ]

/ wɛl /

noun

a hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, natural gas, brine, or sulfur.

a spring or natural source of water.

an apparent reservoir or a source of human feelings, emotions, energy, etc.: He was a well of gentleness and courtesy.

a container, receptacle, or reservoir for a liquid: the well of ink in a fountain pen.

any sunken or deep, enclosed space, as a shaft for air or light, stairs, or an elevator, extending vertically through the floors of a building.

Nautical.

a part of a weather deck between two superstructures, extending from one side of a vessel to the other.
a compartment or enclosure around a ship's pumps to make them easily accessible and protect them from being damaged by the cargo.

a hollow compartment, recessed area, or depression for holding a specific item or items, as fish in the bottom of a boat or the retracted wheels of an airplane in flight.

any shaft dug or bored into the earth, as for storage space or a mine.

verb (used without object)

to rise, spring, or gush, as water, from the earth or some other source (often followed by up, out, or forth): Tears welled up in my eyes.

verb (used with object)

to send welling up or forth: a fountain welling its pure water.

adjective

like, of, resembling, from, or used in connection with a well.

Origin of well

before 900; (noun) Middle English well(e), Old English wylle, wella, welle; cognate with German Welle wave; (v.) Middle English wellen, Old English wellan (cognate with Dutch wellen, Old Norse vella); both noun and v. ultimately akin to weallan to boil

SYNONYMS FOR well

3 store, fund, mine, fount.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR well ON THESAURUS.COM

Definition for better (6 of 6)

bettor

or bet·ter

[ bet-er ]

/ ˈbɛt ər /

noun

a person who bet.

Origin of bettor

First recorded in 1600–10; bet¹ + -or²

Can be confused

better bettor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for better

We need to recover and grow the idea that the proper answer to bad speech is more and better speech.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yes, we do typically do better than Europe (and Canada, too, which is frequently awful on this score).
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The cartoonist, better known as Charb, was shot dead Wednesday.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He also wants to “replace every existing organism with a better one.”
Design Your Own Dinosaur: The Era of Custom DNA|Justin Jones|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Like most Jewish mothers, Myerson thought her daughter could do better.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The only redeeming feature was a better garden than most London houses have, a strip as wide as the house, and thirty yards long.
The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, Volume I (of II)|Charles Darwin
For a father he careth not sufficiently for his children: human fathers do this better!
Thus Spake Zarathustra|Friedrich Nietzsche
If things take the better turn, our condition will be surer and firmer than it was before.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XV. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
When he tired of the tumult of the bar-room and a sense of his better self came over him, some one said: "Give us another, Tom."
Wit, Humor, Reason, Rhetoric, Prose, Poetry and Story Woven into Eight Popular Lectures|George W. Bain
Miss Mitford says somewhere,—to no one better than to herself does this apply.
Our Village|Mary Russell Mitford

British Dictionary definitions for better (1 of 5)

better

/ (ˈbɛtə) /

adjective

the comparative of good

more excellent than other members of a particular group, category, etc

more suitable, advantageous, attractive, etc

improved in health

fully recovered in health

in more favourable circumstances, esp financially

better off in more favourable circumstances, esp financially

the better part of a large part ofthe better part of a day

adverb

the comparative of well 1

in a more excellent manner; more advantageously, attractively, etc

in or to a greater degree or extent; moreshe is better loved than her sister

go one better (Brit intr; US tr) to outdo (a person) or improve upon (someone else's effort)

had better would be wise, sensible, etc toI had better be off

know better than to not to be so stupid as to

think better of

to change one's course of action after reconsideration
to rate (a person) more highly

noun

the better something that is the more excellent, useful, etc, of two such things

(usually plural) a person who is superior, esp in social standing or ability

all the better for improved as a result of

all the better to more suitable to

for better for worse whatever the subsequent events or changes may be

for the better by way of improvementa change for the better

get the better of to defeat, outwit, or surpass

the better of Irish having recovered fromI'm not the better of it yet

verb

to make or become better

(tr) to improve upon; surpass

Word Origin for better

Old English betera; related to Old Norse betri, Gothic batiza, Old High German beziro

British Dictionary definitions for better (2 of 5)

better

esp US bettor

/ (ˈbɛtə) /

noun

a person who bets

British Dictionary definitions for better (3 of 5)

good

/ (ɡʊd) /

adjective better or best

having admirable, pleasing, superior, or positive qualities; not negative, bad or mediocrea good idea; a good teacher

morally excellent or admirable; virtuous; righteousa good man
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the good

suitable or efficient for a purposea good secretary; a good winter coat

beneficial or advantageousvegetables are good for you

not ruined or decayed; sound or wholethe meat is still good

kindly, generous, or approvingyou are good to him

right or acceptableyour qualifications are good for the job

rich and fertilegood land

valid or genuineI would not do this without good reason

honourable or held in high esteema good family

commercially or financially secure, sound, or safegood securities; a good investment

(of a draft) drawn for a stated sum

(of debts) expected to be fully paid

clever, competent, or talentedhe's good at science

obedient or well-behaveda good dog

reliable, safe, or recommendeda good make of clothes

affording material pleasure or indulgencethe good things in life; the good life

having a well-proportioned, beautiful, or generally fine appearancea good figure; a good complexion

complete; fullI took a good look round the house

propitious; opportunea good time to ask the manager for a rise

satisfying or gratifyinga good rest

comfortabledid you have a good night?

newest or of the best qualityto keep the good plates for important guests

fairly large, extensive, or longa good distance away

sufficient; amplewe have a good supply of food

US (of meat) of the third government grade, above standard and below choice

serious or intellectualgood music

used in a traditional descriptionthe good ship ``America''

used in polite or patronizing phrases or to express anger (often intended ironically)how is your good lady?; look here, my good man!

a good one

an unbelievable assertion
a very funny joke

as good as virtually; practicallyit's as good as finished

as good as gold excellent; very good indeed

be as good as to or be so good as to would you please

come good to recover and perform well after a bad start or setback

good and informal (intensifier)good and mad

(intensifier; used in mild oaths)good grief!; good heavens!

interjection

an exclamation of approval, agreement, pleasure, etc

noun

moral or material advantage or use; benefit or profitfor the good of our workers; what is the good of worrying?

positive moral qualities; goodness; virtue; righteousness; piety

(sometimes capital) moral qualities seen as a single abstract entitywe must pursue the Good

a good thing

economics a commodity or service that satisfies a human need

for good or for good and all forever; permanentlyI have left them for good

make good

to recompense or repair damage or injury
to be successful
to demonstrate or prove the truth of (a statement or accusation)
to secure and retain (a position)
to effect or fulfil (something intended or promised)

good on you or good for you well done, well said, etc: a term of congratulation

get any good of or get some good of Irish

to handle to good effectI never got any good of this machine
to understand properlyI could never get any good of him
to receive cooperation from

Derived Forms

goodish, adjective

Word Origin for good

Old English gōd; related to Old Norse gōthr, Old High German guot good

British Dictionary definitions for better (4 of 5)

well

/ (wɛl) /

adverb better or best

(often used in combination) in a satisfactory mannerthe party went very well

(often used in combination) in a good, skilful, or pleasing mannershe plays the violin well

in a correct or careful mannerlisten well to my words

in a comfortable or prosperous mannerto live well

(usually used with auxiliaries) suitably; fittinglyyou can't very well say that

intimatelyI knew him well

in a kind or favourable mannershe speaks well of you

to a great or considerable extent; fullyto be well informed

by a considerable marginlet me know well in advance

(preceded by could, might, or may) indeedyou may well have to do it yourself

informal (intensifier)well safe

all very well used ironically to express discontent, dissent, etc

as well

in addition; too
(preceded by may or might) with equal effectyou might as well come
just as well preferable or advisableit would be just as well if you paid me now

as well as in addition to

just leave well alone or just leave well enough alone to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory

well and good used to indicate calm acceptance, as of a decisionif you accept my offer, well and good

well up in well acquainted with (a particular subject); knowledgeable about

adjective (usually postpositive)

(when prenominal, usually used with a negative) in good healthI'm very well, thank you; he's not a well man

satisfactory, agreeable, or pleasing

prudent; advisableit would be well to make no comment

prosperous or comfortable

fortunate or happyit is well that you agreed to go

interjection

an expression of surprise, indignation, or reproof
an expression of anticipation in waiting for an answer or remark

sentence connector

an expression used to preface a remark, gain time, etcwell, I don't think I will come

Word Origin for well

Old English wel; related to Old High German wala, wola (German wohl), Old Norse val, Gothic waila

British Dictionary definitions for better (5 of 5)

well

/ (wɛl) /

noun

a hole or shaft that is excavated, drilled, bored, or cut into the earth so as to tap a supply of water, oil, gas, etc

a natural pool where ground water comes to the surface

a cavity, space, or vessel used to contain a liquid
(in combination)an inkwell

an open shaft through the floors of a building, such as one used for a staircase

a deep enclosed space in a building or between buildings that is open to the sky to permit light and air to enter

a bulkheaded compartment built around a ship's pumps for protection and ease of access
another word for cockpit

a perforated tank in the hold of a fishing boat for keeping caught fish alive

(in England) the open space in the centre of a law court

a source, esp one that provides a continuous supplyhe is a well of knowledge

verb

to flow or cause to flow upwards or outwardstears welled from her eyes

Word Origin for well

Old English wella; related to Old High German wella (German Welle wave), Old Norse vella boiling heat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for better

well

[ wĕl ]

A deep hole or shaft sunk into the Earth to tap a liquid or gaseous substance such as water, oil, gas, or brine. If the substance is not under sufficient pressure to flow freely from the well, it must be pumped or raised mechanically to the surface. Water or pressurized gas is sometimes pumped into a nonproducing oil well to push petroleum resources out of underground reservoirs. See also artesian well.

Idioms and Phrases with better (1 of 3)

better

In addition to the idioms beginning with better

better half
better late than never
better off
better part of
better safe than sorry
better than

also see:

against one's better judgment
all better
all the better
discretion is the better part of valor
for better or for worse
get better
get the better (best) of
go one better
had better (best)
know better
seen better days
so much the better
sooner the better
take a turn for the better
think better of
you'd better believe it

Also see underbest.

Idioms and Phrases with better (2 of 3)

good

In addition to the idioms beginning with good

good and
good around
good as, as
good as done, as
good as gold, as
good as one's word, as
good day
good deal, a
good egg, a
good evening
good faith
good for
good graces
good grief
good head on one's shoulders, have a
good life, the
good luck
good many, a
good mind
good morning
good nature
goodness gracious
goodness knows
good night
good off
good riddance
good Samaritan
good scout
good sort
good thing
good time
good turn
good word
good works
goody two-shoes

also see:

bad (good) sort
but good
do any good
do good
do one good
for good
for good measure
get on someone's good side
get out while the getting is good
give a good account of oneself
give as good as one gets
have a good command of
have a good mind to
have a good thing going
have a good time
hold good
ill wind (that blows nobody any good)
in all good conscience
in bad (good) faith
in (good) condition
in due course (all in good time)
in good
in good hands
in good part
in good spirits
in good time
in good with
in someone's good graces
keep (good) time
make good
make good time
make someone look good
miss is as good as a mile
never had it so good
no good
no news is good news
not the only fish (other good fish) in the sea
one good turn deserves another
on good terms
on one's best (good) behavior
put in a good word
put to good use
show someone a good time
show to (good) advantage
so far so good
stand in good stead
take in good part
throw good money after bad
to good purpose
too good to be true
too much of a good thing
to the good
turn to (good account)
up to no good
well and good
what's the good of
with good grace
world of good
your guess is as good as mine

Also see undergoodnessgoods.

Idioms and Phrases with better (3 of 3)

well

In addition to the idioms beginning with well

well and good
well off
well out of, be
well preserved

also see:

alive and kicking (well)
all's well that ends well
all very well
as well
as well as
augur well for
damn well
do well
full well
get well
hanged for a sheep, might as well be
leave well enough alone
only too (well)
sit well with
think a lot (well) of
to a fare-thee-well
very well
wear well