English Reference

Word

better

Phoneticsbet·ter, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈbɛtɝ/

UK/bˈɛtɐ/

Definitions

01higher quality

A1 · Beginner

adj. of a higher standard or more suitable than something else.

adj. the comparative form of 'good', indicating superior quality, excellence, or suitability relative to another entity.

“I think this new laptop is much better than my old one.”

“The revised proposal offers a better solution to the logistics problem than the original draft did.”

Pitfall

This phone is more better than my old one.

This phone is better than my old one.

Better is already a comparative form; do not use 'more' with it.

Synonyms

Antonyms

02recovered in health

A2 · Elementary

adj. feeling more healthy or less ill than before.

adj. recovered from an illness, injury, or negative physical state.

“I hope you feel better after you get some sleep.”

“The patient appeared significantly better during the morning rounds, showing improved respiratory function and higher energy levels.”

Antonyms

03in a superior way

A1 · Beginner

adv. to do something in a way that is more effective or successful.

adv. the comparative form of 'well', modifying a verb to indicate a higher degree of skill, effectiveness, or success.

“She speaks English much better now that she lives in London.”

“The team performed better in the second half once they adjusted their defensive strategy to account for the opponent's speed.”

Synonyms

more effectively

Antonyms

04to improve

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make something better than it was before.

v. to improve the status, quality, or condition of something; often used in the context of self-improvement or breaking records.

“He went back to university to better his chances of finding a job.”

“The athlete worked tirelessly throughout the off-season, hoping to better her personal record in the upcoming marathon.”

Antonyms

05superiors

C1 · Advanced Plural noun Formal

n. people who are higher in rank or have more authority than you.

n. those who are superior in station, rank, or intellect; typically used in the plural.

“In the old days, children were taught to respect their betters.”

“The young clerk was cautioned to remain humble and defer to the wisdom of his betters within the firm.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

06person who bets

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. someone who risks money on the result of a race or game.

n. a person who wagers or places a bet; an alternative spelling of 'bettor'.

“The horse's odds dropped as more betters placed their money on it.”

“Professional betters often use complex statistical models to identify value in the betting markets that the general public overlooks.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “better” in context.

01. better understand 02. better understanding 03. better able 04. better way 05. better known 06. better equipped 07. better future 08. better part

Etymology

From Middle English better, bettre, betre, from Old English betera (“better”), from Proto-West Germanic batiʀō, from Proto-Germanic batizô (“better”), from Proto-Indo-European bʰed-rós, from bʰed- (“good”). Cognate with Sanskrit भद्र (bhadrá, “blessed, fortunate, happy, good”) (from bʰn̥d-ró-s). For Germanic cognates: see Proto-Germanic batizô. Related to best and battle (“getting better, improving, fruitful, fertile”). Compare also Icelandic batna (“to improve”), bót (“improvement”), German besser. More at batten, boot. False cognate of Persian بهتر (behtar).

Shortening of had better ('d better)

From Middle English beteren, from Old English beterian, betrian, from Proto-Germanic *batizōną. Cognate with West Frisian betterje (“to better”), Dutch beteren (“to better”), German bessern (“to better”), Danish bedre (“to better”), Swedish bättra (“to better”).

Alternative spelling of bettor or modern formation from the verb to bet + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

better(A1)

Related words

Idioms

Grammar

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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