bettering

bet·ter ¹  (btr)

adj. Comparative of good.

1. Greater in excellence or higher in quality.

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 or more fit than before: The patient is better today.

adv. Comparative of well².

1. In a more excellent way.

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. A superior, as in standing, competence, or intelligence. Usually used in the plural: 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. See Synonyms at improve.

2. To surpass or exceed.

v.intr.

To become better.

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/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.

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

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bet·ter ²  (btr)

n.

Variant of bettor.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

bettering - changing for the better worsening - changing for the worse; "worried by the worsening storm"