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better

bet·ter

better

 
pronunciation:
be tr
parts of speech:
adjective, adverb, transitive verb, noun
phrases:
better off, had better
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun)
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: comparative of "good."
antonyms:
worse
definition 2: greater in quality or excellence.
That one is good, but this one is better.This is one of the better hotels in town.She has a better relationship with her father-in-law than with her mother-in-law.
synonyms:
finer, greater, superior
antonyms:
base, inferior, worse
similar words:
choice, excellent, exceptional, surpassing
definition 3: having moral superiority or greater virtue.
She's a better person than her sister because she has greater sympathy and generosity.
synonyms:
superior
antonyms:
worse
similar words:
chaste, moral, righteous, virtuous
definition 4: more useful or advantageous.
These boots are better for hiking than those shoes.
synonyms:
preferable
antonyms:
worse
similar words:
acceptable, advantageous, advisable, desirable, preferred, suitable, useful, valuable
definition 5: improved in health; healed.
Is she better after her operation?I was pretty sick, but I'm much better now.By Friday, he was all better and went back to work.
synonyms:
cured, healed
antonyms:
down, ill, worse
similar words:
fitter, healthier, improved, on the mend, recuperated, stronger
definition 6: larger.
It took the better part of a year to finish.
synonyms:
bigger, greater, larger
similar words:
longer
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phrase: better off
 
part of speech: adverb
definition 1: comparative of "well."
antonyms:
worse
definition 2: in a more desirable or excellent manner.
She dances better than I do.Those plants will grow better in the sun.
synonyms:
preferably
antonyms:
worse
definition 3: to a greater extent or degree.
I know the subject better than he does.
similar words:
completely, deeper
definition 4: more.
He drove better than forty miles to get here.
synonyms:
greater, more
similar words:
farther, longer
phrase: had better
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: betters, bettering, bettered
definition 1: to improve.
He bettered himself through education.
synonyms:
enhance, further, improve
antonyms:
worsen
similar words:
advance, ameliorate, amend, elevate, enrich, forward, heighten, help, increase, promote, raise, strengthen, upgrade, uplift
definition 2: to surpass.
She bettered her previous record.
synonyms:
exceed, excel, outdo, outrun, outstrip, surpass, top
similar words:
beat, best, break, cap, outshine, transcend, worst
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: that which is greater or more excellent.
This restaurant is the better of the two.
synonyms:
cream, pick
antonyms:
worse
similar words:
elite, more, upper hand
definition 2: (sometimes pl.) a person of superior rank, ability, intelligence, or breeding.
He is by far my better at chess.He grew up resenting his betters.
synonyms:
superior
similar words:
boss, chief, elder, higher-up, senior
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