adjective
comparative form of 1good or of 2well
higher in quality
more skillful
more attractive, appealing, effective, useful, etc.
Someone or something that has seen/known better days was better in the past than now.
People say the sooner the better, the bigger the better, the faster the better, etc., when they want something to happen as soon as possible, to be as big as possible, to go as fast as possible, etc.
more morally right or good :more deserving of praise
improved in health
happier or more pleased
used to suggest that something should or should not be done
better luck next time
the better part of
adverb
comparative form of 1well
in a better way
used to suggest that something should or should not be done
to a higher or greater degree
greater in distance or amount :more
had better
If you had better do something, you should do it.
noun
[noncount] :something that is better :better behavior
all the better
or so much the better - used to say that something makes a situation, experience, etc., even better than it was
for better or (for) worse
whether good or bad things happen :no matter what happens
for the better
so as to produce improvement
get the better of
to defeat or trick (someone) by being clever
If a feeling or emotion gets the better of you, it causes you to do something that you should not do or that you are trying not to do.
go one better
know better
think better of
your betters
somewhat old-fashioned :people who are more important than you or who have a higher social position than you
verb
-ters; -tered; -tering
[+ obj] to make (something) better :improve
to be or do better than (something or someone) :to improve on (something or someone)
better yourself
to do things (such as improving your education) that will make you a better or more successful person
variant spelling of bettor