better

better

more useful, desirable or suitable: This is a much better choice.

Not to be confused with:

bettor – one who makes a wager: The bettor goes to Las Vegas as often as he can. Some words with the prefix bi- have no standard usage and need to be qualified whenever they are used. For instance, if you called for a biweekly meeting, you’d have to explain whether you meant two times a week or every other week.

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

bet·ter ¹

(bĕt′ər)

adj. Comparative of good.

1. Greater in excellence or higher in quality: Which of the twins is the better skater?

2. More useful, suitable, or desirable: found a better way to go; a suit with a better fit than that one.

3. More highly skilled or adept: I am better at math than English.

4. Greater or larger: argued for the better part of an hour.

5. More advantageous or favorable; improved: a better chance of success.

6. Healthier, more fit, or in less discomfort than before: The patient is better today.

adv. Comparative of well².

1. In a more excellent way: He sings better than his father.

2.

a. To a greater extent or degree: better suited to the job; likes it better without sauce.

b. To greater advantage; preferably: a deed better left undone. See Usage Notes at best, have, rather.

3. More: It took me better than a year to recover.

n.

1. One that is greater in excellence or higher in quality.

2. often betters A superior, as in standing, competence, or intelligence: to learn from one's betters.

v. bet·tered, bet·ter·ing, bet·ters

v. tr.

1. To make better; improve: trying to better conditions in the prison; bettered myself by changing jobs.

2. To surpass or exceed: practiced so he could better his rival.

v. intr.

To become better: Conditions bettered with time.

Idioms:

better off

In a better or more prosperous condition: would be better off taking the train instead of driving; felt better off after the rise in stock prices.

for the better

Resulting in or aiming at an improvement: Her condition took a turn for the better.

get (or have) the better of

To outdo or outwit; defeat.

think better of

To change one's mind about (a course of action) after reconsideration: I almost bought an expensive watch, but then I thought better of it.

---

[Middle English, from Old English betera; see bhad- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

---

bet·ter ²

 (bĕt′ər)

n.

Variant of bettor.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

better

(ˈbɛtə)

adj

1. the comparative of good

2. more excellent than other members of a particular group, category, etc

3. more suitable, advantageous, attractive, etc

4. improved in health

5. fully recovered in health

6. in more favourable circumstances, esp financially

7. better off in more favourable circumstances, esp financially

8. the better part of a large part of: the better part of a day.

adv

9. the comparative of well¹

10. in a more excellent manner; more advantageously, attractively, etc

11. in or to a greater degree or extent; more: she is better loved than her sister.

12. go one better (Brit intr; US tr) to outdo (a person) or improve upon (someone else's effort)

13. had better would be wise, sensible, etc to: I had better be off.

14. know better than to not to be so stupid as to

15. think better of

a. to change one's course of action after reconsideration

b. to rate (a person) more highly

n

16. the better something that is the more excellent, useful, etc, of two such things

17. (usually plural) a person who is superior, esp in social standing or ability

18. all the better for improved as a result of

19. all the better to more suitable to

20. for better for worse whatever the subsequent events or changes may be

21. for the better by way of improvement: a change for the better.

22. get the better of to defeat, outwit, or surpass

23. the better of Irish having recovered from: I'm not the better of it yet.

vb

24. to make or become better

25. (tr) to improve upon; surpass

[Old English betera; related to Old Norse betri, Gothic batiza, Old High German beziro]

---

better

(ˈbɛtə) or

bettor

n

a person who bets

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

bet•ter¹

(ˈbɛt ər)
adj.

1. of superior quality or excellence: a better coat.

2. morally superior: no better than thieves.

3. of superior suitability; preferable: a better time for action.

4. larger; greater: the better part of a lifetime.

5. improved in health; healthier than before.

adv. compar. of well with best as superl.

6. in a more appropriate manner: to behave better.

7. to a greater degree; more completely: knows the way better than I.

8. more: lives better than a mile away.

v.t.

9. to make better; improve: to better the lot of the needy.

10. to improve upon: bettered last year's production record.

n.

11. something that is preferable: the better of two choices.

12. Usu., betters. those superior to oneself.

Idioms:

1. better off,

a. in better circumstances.

b. more fortunate; happier.

2. get or have the better of,

a. to get an advantage over.

b. to prevail against.

3. go (someone) one better, to exceed another's efforts; surpass.

4. had better or best, ought to.

[before 900; Middle English bettre, Old English bet(t)(e)ra]

syn: See improve.

bet•ter²

(ˈbɛt ər)

n.

bettor.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

better

1. used as a comparative

Better is the comparative form of both good and well. Don't say that something is 'more good' or is done 'more well'. You say that it is better or is done better.

The results were better than expected.

Some people could ski better than others.

You can use words such as even, far, a lot, and much in front of better.

Bernard knew him even better than Annette did.

I decided that it would be far better just to wait.

I always feel much better after a bath.

2. another meaning of 'better'

You can also say that someone is better, or is feeling better. This means that they are recovering, or that they have recovered, from an illness or injury.

Her cold was better.

The doctor thinks I'll be better by the weekend.

3. 'had better'

If you say that someone had better do something, you mean that they ought to do it. Had better is always followed by an infinitive without to. People usually shorten had to 'd. They say 'I'd better', 'We'd better', and 'You'd better'.

I 'd better introduce myself.

We'd better go.

Be Careful!
You must use had or 'd in sentences like these. Don't say 'I better introduce myself' or 'I better go'.

In negative sentences, not goes after had better.

We'd better not tell him what happened.

Be Careful!
Don't say that someone 'hadn't better' do something.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

better

Past participle: bettered
Gerund: bettering

Imperative

better

better

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	better - something superior in quality or condition or effect; "a change for the better" goodness, good - that which is pleasing or valuable or useful; "weigh the good against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization"
	2.	better - someone who bets       bettor, wagerer, punter taker - one who takes a bet or wager caller - the bettor in a card game who matches the bet and calls for a show of hands gambler - a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
	3.	better - a superior person having claim to precedence; "the common man has been kept in his place by his betters" higher-up, superior, superordinate - one of greater rank or station or quality
	4.	better - the superior one of two alternatives; "chose the better of the two" goodness, good - that which is pleasing or valuable or useful; "weigh the good against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization"
Verb	1.	better - surpass in excellence; "She bettered her own record"; "break a record" break outdo, outgo, outmatch, outperform, outstrip, surpass, exceed, surmount - be or do something to a greater degree; "her performance surpasses that of any other student I know"; "She outdoes all other athletes"; "This exceeds all my expectations"; "This car outperforms all others in its class"
	2.	better - to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his changes" ameliorate, improve, meliorate, amend alleviate, relieve, palliate, assuage - provide physical relief, as from pain; "This pill will relieve your headaches" aid, help - improve the condition of; "These pills will help the patient" revitalize, regenerate - restore strength; "This food revitalized the patient" alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue" enrich - make better or improve in quality; "The experience enriched her understanding"; "enriched foods" build up, develop - change the use of and make available or usable; "develop land"; "The country developed its natural resources"; "The remote areas of the country were gradually built up" ameliorate, improve, meliorate, better - get better; "The weather improved toward evening" turn around - improve dramatically; "The new strategy turned around sales"; "The tutor turned around my son's performance in math" help - improve; change for the better; "New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture" upgrade - to improve what was old or outdated; "I've upgraded my computer so I can run better software"; "The company upgraded their personnel" condition - put into a better state; "he conditions old cars" emend - make improvements or corrections to; "the text was emended in the second edition" iron out, put right, straighten out - settle or put right; "we need to iron out our disagreements" enhance - make better or more attractive; "This sauce will enhance the flavor of the meat" fix, furbish up, mend, repair, bushel, doctor, touch on, restore - restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken; "She repaired her TV set"; "Repair my shoes please" reform - make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and injustices; "reform a political system" reform - improve by alteration or correction of errors or defects and put into a better condition; "reform the health system in this country" beautify, fancify, prettify, embellish - make more beautiful build - improve the cleansing action of; "build detergents" perfect, hone - make perfect or complete; "perfect your French in Paris!" fine-tune, refine, polish, down - improve or perfect by pruning or polishing; "refine one's style of writing" distill, make pure, purify, sublimate - remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and separate through the process of distillation; "purify the water" fructify - make productive or fruitful; "The earth that he fructified" lift, raise - invigorate or heighten; "lift my spirits"; "lift his ego" advance - develop further; "We are advancing technology every day" upgrade - give better travel conditions to; "The airline upgraded me when I arrived late and Coach Class was full" educate - give an education to; "We must educate our youngsters better" aggravate, exacerbate, worsen, exasperate - make worse; "This drug aggravates the pain"
	3.	better - get better; "The weather improved toward evening" ameliorate, improve, meliorate convalesce, recover, recuperate - get over an illness or shock; "The patient is recuperating" heal - get healthy again; "The wound is healing slowly" change state, turn - undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election" see the light, straighten out, reform - change for the better; "The lazy student promised to reform"; "the habitual cheater finally saw the light" surge - see one's performance improve; "He levelled the score and then surged ahead" turn around, pick up - improve significantly; go from bad to good; "Her performance in school picked up" ameliorate, improve, meliorate, amend, better - to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his changes" bounce back, get well, get over - improve in health; "He got well fast" heal, mend - heal or recover; "My broken leg is mending" fructify - become productive or fruitful; "The seeds fructified" upgrade - get better travel conditions; "I upgraded to First Class when Coach Class was overbooked" decline, worsen - grow worse; "Conditions in the slum worsened"
Adj.	1.	better - (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; "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din"; "a better coat"; "a better type of car"; "a suit with a better fit"; "a better chance of success"; "produced a better mousetrap"; "she's better in math than in history" comparative, comparative degree - the comparative form of an adjective or adverb; "`faster' is the comparative of the adjective `fast'"; "`less famous' is the comparative degree of the adjective `famous'"; "`more surely' is the comparative of the adverb `surely'" worse - (comparative of `bad') inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability; "this road is worse than the first one we took"; "the road is in worse shape than it was"; "she was accused of worse things than cheating and lying"
	2.	better - (comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or fitness; "her health is better now"; "I feel better" comparative, comparative degree - the comparative form of an adjective or adverb; "`faster' is the comparative of the adjective `fast'"; "`less famous' is the comparative degree of the adjective `famous'"; "`more surely' is the comparative of the adverb `surely'" worsened, worse - changed for the worse in health or fitness; "I feel worse today"; "her cold is worse"
	3.	better - (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be better to speak to him"; "the White House thought it best not to respond" best comparative, comparative degree - the comparative form of an adjective or adverb; "`faster' is the comparative of the adjective `fast'"; "`less famous' is the comparative degree of the adjective `famous'"; "`more surely' is the comparative of the adverb `surely'" advisable - worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise; "such action is neither necessary nor advisable"; "extreme caution is advisable"; "it is advisable to telephone first"
	4.	better - more than half; "argued for the better part of an hour" major - greater in number or size or amount; "a major portion (a majority) of the population"; "Ursa Major"; "a major portion of the winnings"
Adv.	1.	better - comparative of `well'; in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc.; "She had never sung better"; "a deed better left undone"; "better suited to the job"
	2.	better - from a position of superiority or authority; "father knows best"; "I know better." best

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

better

adverb

1. to a greater degree, more completely, more thoroughly I like your interpretation better than the one I was taught.

2. in a more excellent manner, more effectively, more attractively, more advantageously, more competently, in a superior way If we had played better we might have won.
in a more excellent manner worse

adjective

1. well, stronger, improving, progressing, recovering, healthier, cured, mending, fitter, fully recovered, on the mend (informal), more healthy, less ill He is better now.
well worse

2. superior, finer, nicer, worthier, higher-quality, surpassing, preferable, more appropriate, more useful, more valuable, more suitable, more desirable, streets ahead, more fitting, more expert I've been able to have a better car than I otherwise could have.
superior worse, lesser, inferior, substandard

verb

1. beat, top, exceed, excel, surpass, outstrip, outdo, trump, improve on or upon, cap (informal) He bettered the old record of 4 minutes 24.

2. improve, further, raise, forward, reform, advance, promote, correct, enhance, upgrade, amend, mend, rectify, augment, ameliorate, meliorate Our parents came here with the hope of bettering themselves. improve lower, depress, weaken, worsen, lessen, impoverish, devaluate

get the better of someone defeat, beat, surpass, triumph over, outdo, trounce, outwit, best, subjugate, prevail over, outsmart (informal), get the upper hand, score off, run rings around (informal), wipe the floor with (informal), make mincemeat of (informal), blow out of the water (slang) He usually gets the better of them.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

better ¹

adjective

1. Of greater excellence than another:

preferable, superior.

2. Much more than half:

best, greater, larger, largest, most.

adverb

To a greater extent:

more.

noun

1. One who stands above another in rank:

elder, senior, superior.

Informal: higher-up.

2. A dominating position, as in a conflict:

advantage, bulge, draw, drop, edge, superiority, upper hand, vantage.

Informal: inside track, jump.

verb

1. To advance to a more desirable state:

ameliorate, amend, help, improve, meliorate, upgrade.

2. To be greater or better than:

best, exceed, excel, outdo, outmatch, outrun, outshine, outstrip, pass, surpass, top, transcend.

Informal: beat.

Idioms: go beyond, go one better.

---

better ²

noun

See bettor

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

أَحْسَنأَفْضَلأَفْضَل، أحْسَنالأفْضَلُبصورة بِصورَةٍ أفْضَل

lepšílépeten/ta lepšízlepšit

bedrebedsteføle sig bedreforbedrehave det bedre

besserBessereverbessern

καλύτεροςκαλύτερα

mejormás valemejoradomejorarrecuperado

بهتر

parempiparemmin

mieuxmeilleuraméliorerpréférable

boljebolji

jobbjobbanjobbikelõnyösebb

betribeturbæta; batnabetra, æskilegra

miglioremegliomeglio fra piùmigliorarepiù buono

よりよいよりよく前より具合が良い

더 잘더 좋은

melior

didesnioji dalisgeresnisgeriaulaimingesnispagerėti

labāklabākaislabāksuzlabotuzlaboties

beter

bedreforbedregodovermann

lepiejlepszy

melhor

îmbunătăţimai bine

лучшелучшийпоправившийся

lepšílepšie

boljeboljši

bättreförbättra

ดีกว่าดีขึ้นมาตรฐานที่ดีกว่า

daha iyidaha iyisiıslah etmekiyileş mek

tốt hơn

较好的更好地更好的两者中较优者健康状况有所好转

better

¹ [ˈbetəʳ]

A. ADJ COMPAR of good → mejor
he is better than you → es mejor que tú
he's much better (Med) → está mucho mejor
that's better! → ¡eso es!
it is better to + INFIN → más vale + infin
better and better → cada vez mejor
she is better at dancing than her sister → se le da mejor bailar a ella que a su hermana
it couldn't be better → no podría ser mejor
these products are better for the environment → estos productos son mejores para el medio ambiente
to get better → mejorar (Med) → mejorar(se), reponerse
he's no better than a thief → no es más que un ladrón
she's no better than she ought to be (o.f.) → es una mujer que tiene historia
to go one better → hacer mejor todavía (than que)
it lasted the better part of a year → duró la mayor parte del año
the sooner the better → cuanto antes mejor
it would be better to go now → sería mejor irse ya
see also half A1
see also nature A2
see also day A3

B. ADV COMPAR of well → mejor
all the better → tanto mejor
so you're both coming - all the better! → así es que venís los dos, ¡tanto mejor!
I feel all the better for having confided in someone → me siento mucho mejor después de haberme confiado a alguien
he was all the better for it → le hizo mucho bien
it would be all the better for a drop of paint → no le vendría mal una mano de pintura
I had better go → más vale que me vaya, mejor me vaya (esp LAm)
he thinks he knows better → cree que se lo sabe todo
at his age he ought to know better → a la edad que tiene debería tener más juicio
but he knew better than to → pero sabía que no se debía ...
he knows better than the experts → sabe más que los expertos
they are better off than we are → están mejor de dinero que nosotros
you'd be better off staying where you are → te convendría más quedarte
so much the better → tanto mejor
write to her or, better still, go and see her → escríbele o, mejor aún, vete a verla
they withdrew, the better to resist → se retiraron para poder resistir mejor
to think better of it → cambiar de parecer
see also late A3

C. N

1. → el/la mejor
it's a change for the better → es una mejora
to get the better of (= beat) → vencer, quedar por encima de
for better or worse → para bien o mal

2. my betters → mis superiores

D. VT → mejorar; [+ record, score] → superar
to better o.s (financially) → mejorar su posición; (culturally, educationally) → superarse

---

better

² [ˈbetəʳ] N (= gambler) → apostador(a) m/f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

better

[ˈbɛtə^r]

adj comparative

(= superior) → meilleur(e)
This one's better than that one → Celui-ci est meilleur que celui-là.
a better way to do it → une meilleure façon de le faire
that's better! → c'est mieux comme ça!
better still → encore mieux
Go and see her tomorrow, or better still, go today → Va la voir demain, ou encore mieux, vas-y aujourd'hui.
it would be better to ... → il vaudrait mieux ...
to be better doing sth (= better off) → avoir avantage à faire qch
You're better waiting till tomorrow → Tu aurais avantage à attendre jusqu'à demain.

to get better (= recover) [sick person] → se remettre, se rétablir
I hope you get better soon → J'espère que tu vas vite te remettre. (= improve) [person, situation] → s'améliorer
I hope the weather gets better soon → J'espère que le temps va s'améliorer bientôt.
My French is getting better → Mon français s'améliore.
to be better [sick person, patient] → aller mieux

adv

(= in a better way) → mieux

to feel better [person] → se sentir mieux
Are you feeling better now? → Tu te sens mieux maintenant?

you'd better, you had better
You'd better do it straight away → Vous feriez mieux de le faire immédiatement.
I'd better go home → Je ferais mieux de rentrer.
I had better go → Il vaudrait mieux que je m'en aille.

to like better (= prefer) → préférer
to like sth/sb better than → préférer qch/qn à

to know better than sb → en savoir plus que qn

to know better than to do sth → bien se garder de faire qch

to go one better → faire mieux

the better to do sth (= so as to) → pour mieux faire qch

vt

(= exceed) [+ figures, record] → améliorer; [+ score] → battre

to better o.s. (= improve) → s'améliorer, améliorer sa condition

n

to get the better of sb [jealousy, anger] → l'emporter sur qn
My curiosity got the better of me → Ma curiosité l'a emporté.; [competitor, opponent] → triompher de qn

a change for the better → une amélioration
to change for the better (= get better) → s'améliorer
to change sth for the better → améliorer qch

to think better of it → changer d'opinion, se raviser

all the better, so much the better → tant mieux

for better or worse, for better or for worse → pour le meilleur ou pour le pire

the bigger the better → le plus grand le mieux
the sooner the better → le plus tôt le mieux
the smaller the better → le plus petit le mieux

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

better

¹

n → Wetter(in) m(f)

---

better

²

adj comp of good → besser; route, way also → günstiger; he’s better (= recovered) → es geht ihm wieder besser; he’s much better → es geht ihm viel besser; the patient/his foot is getting better → dem Patienten/seinem Fuß geht es schon viel besser; I hope you get better soon → hoffentlich sind Sie bald wieder gesund; better and better → immer besser; that’s better! (approval) → so ist es besser!; (relief etc) → so!; to be better than one’s word → mehr tun, als man versprochen hat; it couldn’t be better → es könnte gar nicht besser sein; I couldn’t be better → es könnte mir gar nicht besser gehen; I am none the better for it → das hilft mir auch nicht; she is no better than she ought to be → sie ist auch keine Heilige; the better part of an hour/my money/our trip → fast eine Stunde/fast mein ganzes Geld/fast die ganze Reise; it would be better to go early → es wäre besser, früh zu gehen; you would be better to go early → Sie gehen besser früh; to go one better → einen Schritt weiter gehen; (in offer) → höher gehen; this hat has seen better days → dieser Hut hat auch schon bessere Tage gesehen (inf)

adv comp of well

→ besser; like → lieber, mehr; enjoy → mehr; they are better off than we are → sie sind besser dran als wir; he is better off where he is → für ihn ist es besser, da zu sein, wo er ist, er ist besser dran, wo er ist (inf); you would do better or be better advised to go early → Sie sollten lieber früh gehen; to think better of it → es sich (dat) → noch einmal überlegen; I didn’t think any better of him for that → deswegen hielt ich auch nicht mehr von ihm ? know, late

I had better go → ich gehe jetzt wohl besser; you’d better do what he says → tun Sie lieber, was er sagt; I’d better answer that letter soon → ich beantworte den Brief lieber or besser bald; I won’t touch it — you’d better not! → ich fasse es nicht an — das will ich dir auch geraten haben

n

one’s betters → Leute, die über einem stehen; (socially also) → Höhergestellte pl, → höher Gestellte pl; that’s no way to talk to your betters → man muss immer wissen, wen man vor sich (dat) → hat; respect for one’s betters → Achtung f → Respektspersonen gegenüber

(= person, object) the better → der/die/das Bessere

it’s a change for the better → es ist eine Wendung zum Guten; to think (all) the better of somebody → (um so) mehr von jdm halten; all the better, so much the better → umso besser; it would be all the better for a drop of paint → ein bisschen Farbe würde Wunder wirken; the bigger/sooner the better → je größer/eher, desto besser; it’s done now, for better or worse → so oder so, es ist geschehen; for better, for worse (in marriage ceremony) → in Freud und Leid; to get the better of somebody (person) → jdn unterkriegen (inf); (illness) → jdn erwischen (inf); (problem etc) → jdm schwer zu schaffen machen

vt (= improve on) → verbessern; (= surpass) → übertreffen

vr (= increase one’s knowledge) → sich weiterbilden; (in social scale) → sich verbessern

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

better

¹ [ˈbɛtəʳ]

1. adj (good (comp of)) → migliore
I'm better at German than French → riesco meglio in tedesco che in francese
he's better than his brother at mending cars → è più bravo di suo fratello ad aggiustare le macchine
are you better now? (in health) → stai meglio adesso?
to get better → migliorare (Med) → star meglio, rimettersi
that's better! → così va meglio!
it couldn't be better → non potrebbe andar meglio (di così)
it would be better to go now → sarebbe meglio andare adesso
he's no better than a thief → non è né più né meno che un ladro
it lasted the better part of a year → è durato quasi un anno

2. adv (well (comp of)) → meglio
he speaks French better than Italian/his brother → parla il francese meglio dell'italiano/di suo fratello
better known → meglio or più conosciuto/a
so much the better, all the better → tanto meglio, meglio così
he was all the better for it → ci ha guadagnato, gli ha fatto molto bene
they are better off than we are → stanno meglio di noi
you'd be better off staying where you are → faresti meglio a restare dove sei
I had better go → dovrei andare
hadn't you better ask him? → non sarebbe meglio se lo chiedessi a lui?
to think better of it → cambiare idea

3. n a change for the better → un cambiamento in meglio
for better or worse → nella buona o nella cattiva sorte
to get the better of sb → avere la meglio su qn
one's betters → i propri superiori

4. vt → migliorare
to better o.s. → migliorare la propria condizione

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better

² [ˈbɛtəʳ] n → scommettitore m

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

better

(ˈbetə) adjective

1. good to a greater extent. His new car is better than his old one. beter أَفْضَل، أحْسَن по-добър melhor lepší besser bedre καλύτεροςmejor parem بهتر parempi mieux; meilleur יוֹתֵר טוֹב बेहतर bolji jobb lebih baik betri meglio ～より良い 더 좋은 geresnis labāks lebih baik beterbedrelepszy غوړه melhor mai bun лучший lepší boljši bolji bättre ดีกว่า daha iyi 較好的 кращий بہتر ốt hơn 较好的

2. stronger in health; recovered (from an illness). I feel better today; She's better now. beter في صِحَّةٍ أفْضَل по-добре melhor lépe, lepší besser have det bedre; føle sig bedre καλύτεραmejor, mejorado, recuperado parem بهتر parantunut mieux בְּמָצַב טוֹב יוֹתֵר सुधार bolje jobban lebih sehat, sembuh betri meglio 快方に向かって 더 건강한 sveikesnis (justies) labāk lebih sihat beterbedre, friskere zdrowszy ښه melhor mai bine лучше lepšie bolje; boljši bolje bättre ดีขึ้น (สภาพร่างกาย) daha iyi 健康狀況好轉，病癒 кращий, дужий صحت کی بہتر حالت میں khoẻ hơn （健康状况）有所好转

3. preferable. Better to do it now than later. beter مُفَضَّل أن، من الأفْضَلِ أن за предпочитане melhor lepší, lépe besser bedre προτιμότεροςmejor, más vale parem بهتر است parempi préférable יוֹתֵר טוֹב बेहतर bolje, radije előnyösebb, jobb lebih suka betra, æskilegra meglio ～より望ましい 더 좋은 geriau, verčiau labāk lebih baik beterbedrelepiej ښه دی melhor mai bine лучше lepšie bolje bolje bättre, hellre เป็นที่ชอบหรือพึงพอใจมากกว่า daha iyi 更好的 кращий, найкращий ترجیحاً thích hợp hơn 更好的

adverb

well to a greater extent. He sings better now than he did before. beter بصورة بِصورَةٍ أفْضَل по-добре melhor lépe besser bedre καλύτεραmejor paremini بهتر paremmin mieux יוֹתֵר טוֹב बेहतर तरीके से bolje, više jobban lebih baik betur meglio より良く 더 좋게 geriau labāk lebih baik beterbedrelepiej غوړ تړ melhor mai bine лучше lepšie bolje bolje bättre ดีกว่า daha iyi 更好地 краще بہتر tốt hơn 更好地

pronoun

someone or something which is good to a greater extent than the other (of two people or things). He's the better of the two. beter الأفْضَلُ (مِن بيْنِ إثنين) по-подходящ melhor ten/ta lepší der/die/das Bessere bedste καλύτερος el/la/lo mejor de parem بهتر؛ برتر parempi le/la meilleur/-eure (de) יוֹתֵר טוֹב बेहतर bolji jobb(ik) lebih baik betri il migliore よりよい人 [] 더 나은 사람 geresnis labākais terbaik beste den bedre, overmannlepszy ښه تړ melhor cel mai bun (dintre) более подходящий ten lepší boljši bolji [den, det, de] bättre ผู้ที่เหนือกว่า daha iyisi (兩者中)較優者 кращий نسبتاً vật/ người tốt hơn （两者中）较优者

verb

to improve (on). He's bettered all previous records; The situation has bettered a little. verbeter يُحَسِّنُ подобрявам melhorar zlepšit (se) verbessern forbedre βελτιώνω, βελτιώνομαιmejorar parandama, paranema بهتر کردن؛ بهبود بخشیدن parantaa améliorer לְשָׁפֵר बेहतर बनाना poboljšati, popraviti megjavít, (meg)javul memperbaiki bæta; batna migliorare より良くする 더 좋아지다 pagerinti, pagerėti uzlabot; uzlaboties menjadi lebih baik verbeterenbedre; slåpoprawić غوره کول melhorar a (se) ameliora улучшать zlepšiť (sa) izboljšati (se) poboljšati förbättra ปรับปรุง iyileşmek, ıslah etmek 改善 поліпшувати(ся) بہتر ہونا cải thiện 改善

better off

richer; happier in some way. He'd be better off working as a miner; You'd be better off without him. in beter omstandighede wees أيْسَرُ حالا، أكْثَرُ غِنى бивам по-добре em melhor situação (být) na tom lépe; bohatší besser dran bedre stillet σε καλύτερη κατάσταση en mejor situación paremal järjel موفق تر؛ پولدار تر onnellisempi plus riche, mieux לִהיוֹת בְּמָצַב טוֹב יוֹתֵר ज्यादा धनी bogatiji, sretniji jobban jár v. él keadaan lebih baik betur settur più ricco 一層暮らし向きがよい 부유한 turtingesnis, laimingesnis turīgāks; laimīgāks lebih baik beter af bedre stilt w lepszej sytuacji ﭖی سه دار em melhor situação mai bogat; mai fericit более состоятельный (byť) na tom lepšie na boljšem biti bolje ha det bättre รวยขึ้น; ดีขึ้น hâli vakti yerinde 過得更好 бути в кращому становищі بر تر کام پر فائز ہونا khấm khá hơn 境况较好

the better part of

most of. He talked for the better part of an hour. grootste, leeueaandeel مُعْظَمُ، الجُزءُ الأكْبَر около boa parte de téměř, větší část der größte Teil von størstedelen το μεγαλύτερο μέρος buena parte de, cerca de, casi lõviosa قسمت بیشتر suurin osa près deמרבית आधे से अधिक veći dio a nagyobbik része hampir, lebih dari setengah meirihluti, megnið più della metà di, quasi ～の大半 ...의 대부분 didesnioji dalis lielākā daļa; vairākums hampir keseluruhan het grootste deel størstedelen, mesteparten większa część دیره برخه boa parte de aproape большая часть чего-л. takmer večji del dobar deo största delen av ส่วนใหญ่ yarısından fazlası 大部分的 найбільша кількість phần lớn 大部分的

get the better of

to overcome; to win (against). He got the better of his opponent / the argument. die loef afsteek, die oorhand kry يَنْتَصِرُ على، يَتَغَلَّبُ عَلى побеждавам levar a melhor překonat, zvítězit die Oberhand gewinnen slå; besejre υπερισχύωsuperar; vencer peale jääma فائق آمدن؛ پیشی گرفتن voittaa l'emporter surלנצח, לגבור हराना या किसी कठिनाई से सफलतापूर्वक निपटना prevladati, osvojiti föléje kerekedik mengatasi, menguasai snúa á; sigra avere la meglio su ～に勝つ 이기다 nugalėti gūt virsroku mengatasi het winnen van overvinne, seire overpokonać مخه لاره levar a melhor a învinge взять верх prekonať, zvíťaziť premagati pobediti besegra, vinna mot (över) ชนะ yenmek, yenilgiye uğratmak 打敗 взяти верх سبقت لے جانا thắng thế 打败

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He is better today (not He is more better). He is much better is correct.
You had better come / You'd better come (not You better come).

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

better

→ أَحْسَن, أَفْضَل lépe, lepší bedre besser καλύτερα, καλύτερος mejor paremmin, parempi meilleur, mieux bolje, bolji meglio, migliore よりよい, よりよく, 前より具合が良い 더 잘, 더 좋은 beter bedre, god lepiej, lepszy melhor лучше, лучший, поправившийся bättre ดีกว่า, ดีขึ้น, มาตรฐานที่ดีกว่า daha iyi, daha iyisi tốt hơn 好转的, 更好地, 较好的

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

better

a. comp. mejor, superior; [better than] mejor que;

so much the ___ → tanto mejor;

vi.

to be ___ → estar mejor, ponerse mejor;

to be ___ than → ser mejor que;

to be ___ than before → estar, ser mejor que antes;

to change for the ___ → recuperarse, restablecerse;

to like ___ → preferir;

to make ___ → mejorar, aliviar.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

better

(comp de good y well) adj & adv mejor; to get — (patient) recuperarse, (pain) aliviarse, (wound) sanar, (illness, cough, etc.) mejorar; to make — aliviar, mejorar

English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.