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Intermediate Dictionary
     

bet·ter

better

 
pronunciation:
be tr
parts of speech:
adjective, adverb, verb, noun
phrases:
better off, had better
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: comparative of "good."
antonyms:
worse
definition 2: more excellent; of a higher quality.
This is a better restaurant because of its fine service.
synonyms:
finer, greater, superior
antonyms:
base, inferior, worse
similar words:
choice, excellent, exceptional
definition 3: more useful; having more desirable results.
These shoes are better for walking than those sandals.
antonyms:
worse
similar words:
acceptable, advantageous, advisable, desirable, preferred, suitable, useful, valuable
definition 4: healthier; no longer sick or injured.
Is she better after the operation?
synonyms:
cured, healed
antonyms:
down, ill, worse
similar words:
fitter, healthier, improved, on the mend, recuperated, stronger
definition 5: larger.
The house took the better part of a year to build.
synonyms:
bigger, greater, larger
similar words:
longer
phrase: better off, had better
 
part of speech: adverb
definition 1: comparative of "well."
antonyms:
worse
definition 2: with more success or excellence.
The plants will grow better in the sun.
antonyms:
worse
definition 3: more; greater; longer.
He drove better than ten miles to get here.
synonyms:
greater, more
similar words:
farther, longer
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: betters, bettering, bettered
definition 1: to improve.
Abe bettered himself through education.
synonyms:
enhance, further, improve
similar words:
advance, amend, elevate, enrich, forward, heighten, help, increase, promote, raise, strengthen, upgrade
definition 2: to do better than; to top or outdo.
She bettered the school record in that race.
synonyms:
exceed, outdo, surpass, top
similar words:
beat, break
 
part of speech: noun
definition: the greater or more excellent one.
This school is the better of the two.
synonyms:
cream, pick
antonyms:
worse
similar words:
more