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bet·ter
 better
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- pronunciation:
- be
t
 r
- 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| definition 6: |
larger.
It took the better part of a year to finish.- synonyms:
- bigger, greater, larger
- similar words:
- longer
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| related words: |
superior |
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| phrase: |
better off |
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| part of speech: |
adverb |
| definition 1: |
comparative of "well."
- antonyms:
- worse
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| 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
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| definition 3: |
to a greater extent or degree.
I know the subject better than he does.- similar words:
- completely, deeper
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| definition 4: |
more.
He drove better than forty miles to get here.- synonyms:
- greater, more
- similar words:
- farther, longer
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| phrase: |
had better |
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| 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
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| 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
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| related words: |
alter, educate, excel, fix, mend, profit |
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| 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
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| 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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