better

pronunciation

How to pronounce better in British English: UK [ˈbetə(r)] word uk audio image

How to pronounce better in American English: US [ˈbetər] word us audio image

Noun:

one having claim to precedence; a superior
someone who bets
the superior one of two alternatives
Verb:

surpass in excellence
to make better
get better
Adjective:

(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
(comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or fitness
(comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable
more than half
Adverb:

comparative of `well'; in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc.
from a position of superiority or authority

Word Origin

better (adj.): Old English bettra, earlier betera, from Proto-Germanic *batizo-, from PIE *bhad- "good;" see best. Comparative adjective of good in the older Germanic languages (compare Old Frisian betera, Old Saxon betiro, Old Norse betr, Danish bedre, Old High German bezziro, German besser, Gothic batiza). In English it superseded bet in the adverbial sense by 1600. Better half "wife" is first attested 1570s.

better (v.): Old English *beterian "improve, amend, make better," from Proto-Germanic *batizojan (cognates: Old Frisian beteria, Dutch beteren, Old Norse betra, Old High German baziron, German bessern), from *batiz- (see better (adj.)). Related: Bettered; bettering.

better (n.): late 12c., "that which is better," from better (adj.). Specific meaning "one's superior" is from early 14c. To get the better of (someone) is from 1650s, from better in a sense of "superiority, mastery," which is recorded from mid-15c.

adj.

adj.