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 better better /ˈbɛtɝ/

adjective

  1. () (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  ( 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
    You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din
     A better coat
    a better coat
     A better type of car
    a better type of car
     A suit with a better fit
    a suit with a better fit
     A better chance of success
    a better chance of success
     Produced a better mousetrap
    produced a better mousetrap
     She's better in math than in history
    she's better in math than in history
  2. () (comparative of 'good') changed for the better in health or fitness  ( better )
    (comparative of 'good') changed for the better in health or fitness
     Her health is better now
    her health is better now
     I feel better
    I feel better
  3. () (comparative and superlative of 'well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable  ( best , better )
    (comparative and superlative of 'well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable
     It would be better to speak to him
    it would be better to speak to him
     The White House thought it best not to respond
    the White House thought it best not to respond
  4. More than half  ( better )
    more than half
     Argued for the better part of an hour
    argued for the better part of an hour

adverb

  1. () Comparative of 'well'; in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc.  ( 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
    She had never sung better
     A deed better left undone
    a deed better left undone
     Better suited to the job
    better suited to the job
  2. () From a position of superiority or authority  ( best , better )
    from a position of superiority or authority
     Father knows best
    father knows best
     I know better.
    I know better.

noun

  1. () Something superior in quality, condition or effect  ( better )
    something superior in quality, condition or effect
     A change for the better
    a change for the better
  2. The superior one of two alternatives  ( better )
    the superior one of two alternatives
     Chose the better of the two
    chose the better of the two
  3. A superior person having claim to precedence  ( better )
    a superior person having claim to precedence
     The common man has been kept in his place by his betters
    the common man has been kept in his place by his betters
  4. Someone who bets  ( better , bettor , punter [Informal] , wagerer )
    someone who bets

verb

  1. () Get better  ( ameliorate , meliorate , better , improve )
    get better
     The weather improved toward evening
    The weather improved toward evening
  2. () To make better  ( ameliorate , meliorate , better , amend , improve )
    to make better
     The editor improved the manuscript with his changes
    The editor improved the manuscript with his changes
  3. () Surpass in excellence  ( better , break )
    surpass in excellence
     She bettered her own record
    She bettered her own record
     Break a record
    break a record


 good good /gɪd/

adjective

  1. () Having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified  ( good )
    having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
     Good news from the hospital
    good news from the hospital
     A good report card
    a good report card
     When she was good she was very very good
    when she was good she was very very good
     A good knife is one good for cutting
    a good knife is one good for cutting
     This stump will make a good picnic table
    this stump will make a good picnic table
     A good check
    a good check
     A good joke
    a good joke
     A good exterior paint
    a good exterior paint
     A good secretary
    a good secretary
     A good dress for the office
    a good dress for the office
  2. () Having the normally expected amount  ( full , good )
    having the normally expected amount
     Gives full measure
    gives full measure
     Gives good measure
    gives good measure
     A good mile from here
    a good mile from here
  3. () Morally admirable  ( good )
    morally admirable
      She received a good grade on her math test.
    She received a good grade on her math test.
  4. () Deserving of esteem and respect  ( estimable , honorable [American] , respectable , good )
    deserving of esteem and respect
     All respectable companies give guarantees
    all respectable companies give guarantees
     Ruined the family's good name
    ruined the family's good name
  5. () Promoting or enhancing well-being  ( good , beneficial )
    promoting or enhancing well-being
     An arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
    an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
     The beneficial effects of a temperate climate
    the beneficial effects of a temperate climate
     The experience was good for her
    the experience was good for her
  6. () Agreeable or pleasing  ( good )
    agreeable or pleasing
     We all had a good time
    we all had a good time
     Good manners
    good manners
  7. () Of moral excellence  ( just , upright , good )
    of moral excellence
     A genuinely good person
    a genuinely good person
     A just cause
    a just cause
     An upright and respectable man
    an upright and respectable man
  8. () With or in a close or intimate relationship  ( near , dear , good )
    with or in a close or intimate relationship
     A good friend
    a good friend
     My sisters and brothers are near and dear
    my sisters and brothers are near and dear
  9. () Thorough  ( good )
    thorough
     Had a good workout
    had a good workout
     Gave the house a good cleaning
    gave the house a good cleaning
  10. () Having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude  ( skilful [Canadian, British] , adept , practiced [ N. American] , expert , good , proficient , skillful [ N. American] )
    having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
     Adept in handicrafts
    adept in handicrafts
     An adept juggler
    an adept juggler
     An expert job
    an expert job
     A good mechanic
    a good mechanic
     A practiced marksman
    a practiced marksman
     A proficient engineer
    a proficient engineer
     A lesser-known but no less skillful composer
    a lesser-known but no less skillful composer
     The effect was achieved by skillful retouching
    the effect was achieved by skillful retouching
  11. () Exerting force or influence  ( in force , good , effective , in effect )
    exerting force or influence
     The law is effective immediately
    the law is effective immediately
     A warranty good for two years
    a warranty good for two years
     The law is already in effect (or in force)
    the law is already in effect (or in force)
  12. () Resulting favorably  ( good , well )
    resulting favorably
     It's a good thing that I wasn't there
    it's a good thing that I wasn't there
     It is good that you stayed
    it is good that you stayed
     It is well that no one saw you
    it is well that no one saw you
     All's well that ends well
    all's well that ends well
  13. () Most suitable or right for a particular purpose  ( right , ripe , good )
    most suitable or right for a particular purpose
     A good time to plant tomatoes
    a good time to plant tomatoes
     The right time to act
    the right time to act
     The time is ripe for great sociological changes
    the time is ripe for great sociological changes
  14. () Financially safe  ( dependable , safe , secure , good )
    financially safe
     A good investment
    a good investment
     A secure investment
    a secure investment
  15. Generally admired  ( good )
    generally admired
     Good taste
    good taste
  16. Not left to spoil  ( good , unspoiled , unspoilt )
    not left to spoil
     The meat is still good
    the meat is still good
  17. Not forged  ( good , honest )
    not forged
     A good dollar bill
    a good dollar bill
  18. Tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health  ( good , salutary )
    tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
     Beneficial effects of a balanced diet
    beneficial effects of a balanced diet
     A good night's sleep
    a good night's sleep
     The salutary influence of pure air
    the salutary influence of pure air
  19. In excellent physical condition  ( good , sound )
    in excellent physical condition
     Good teeth
    good teeth
     I still have one good leg
    I still have one good leg
     A sound mind in a sound body
    a sound mind in a sound body
  20. Appealing to the mind  ( good , serious )
    appealing to the mind
     Good music
    good music
     A serious book
    a serious book
  21. Capable of pleasing  ( good )
    capable of pleasing
     Good looks
    good looks

adverb

  1. () [ N. American] (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard ('good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for 'well')  ( good [ N. American] , well )
    (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard ('good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for 'well')
     The children behaved well
    the children behaved well
     A task well done
    a task well done
     The party went well
    the party went well
     He slept well
    he slept well
     A well-argued thesis
    a well-argued thesis
     A well-seasoned dish
    a well-seasoned dish
     A well-planned party
    a well-planned party
     The baby can walk pretty good
    the baby can walk pretty good
  2. () Completely and absolutely (good' is sometimes used informally for thoroughly')  ( soundly , good , thoroughly )
    completely and absolutely (good' is sometimes used informally for thoroughly')
     He was soundly defeated
    he was soundly defeated
     We beat him good
    we beat him good

noun

  1. () Benefit  ( good )
    benefit
     For your own good
    for your own good
     What's the good of worrying?
    what's the good of worrying?
  2. () Moral excellence or admirableness  ( goodness , good )
    moral excellence or admirableness
     There is much good to be found in people
    there is much good to be found in people
  3. () That which is pleasing, valuable or useful  ( good , goodness )
    that which is pleasing, valuable or useful
     Weigh the good against the bad
    weigh the good against the bad
     Among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization
    among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization
  4. Articles of commerce  ( good , trade good , commodity )
    articles of commerce
      Coffee is a highly traded commodity around the world.
    Coffee is a highly traded commodity around the world.