better
1. something superior in quality or condition or effect (Freq. 1)
- a change for the better
• Hypernyms:
good, goodness
2. someone who bets
• Syn:
bettor, wagerer, punter
• Derivationally related forms:
punt (for: punter), wager (for: wagerer), bet, bet (for: bettor)
• Hypernyms:
gambler
• Hyponyms:
taker, caller
3. a superior person having claim to precedence
- the common man has been kept in his place by his betters
• Hypernyms:
superior, higher-up, superordinate
4. the superior one of two alternatives
- chose the better of the two
• Hypernyms:
good, goodness
1. surpass in excellence (Freq. 1)
- She bettered her own record
- break a record
• Syn:
break
• Hypernyms:
surpass, outstrip, outmatch, outgo, exceed,
outdo, surmount, outperform
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
2. to make better (Freq. 1)
- The editor improved the manuscript with his changes
• Syn:
improve, amend, ameliorate, meliorate
• Ant:
worsen
• Derivationally related forms:
meliorative (for: meliorate), melioration (for: meliorate), ameliorative (for: ameliorate), amelioratory (for: ameliorate), amelioration (for: ameliorate), amendable (for: amend), improvement (for: improve), improver (for: improve), betterment
• Hypernyms:
change, alter, modify
• Hyponyms:
relieve, alleviate, palliate, assuage, help,
aid, regenerate, revitalize, enrich, build up, develop,
turn around, upgrade, condition, emend, iron out, straighten out,
put right, enhance, repair, mend, fix, bushel,
doctor, furbish up, restore, touch on, reform, fancify,
beautify, embellish, prettify, build, perfect, hone,
polish, refine, fine-tune, down, purify, sublimate,
sublimate, distill, fructify, raise, lift,
advance, educate
• Verb Group:
improve, ameliorate, meliorate
• Cause:
improve, ameliorate, meliorate
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Something ----s somebody
- Something ----s something
3. get better (Freq. 1)
- The weather improved toward evening
• Syn:
improve, ameliorate, meliorate
• Ant:
worsen
• Derivationally related forms:
meliorative (for: meliorate), melioration (for: meliorate), ameliorative (for: ameliorate), amelioratory (for: ameliorate), amelioration (for: ameliorate), improvement (for: improve), betterment
• Hypernyms:
change state, turn
• Hyponyms:
recuperate, recover, convalesce, heal, reform,
straighten out, see the light, surge, turn around, pick up, get well,
get over, bounce back, mend, fructify, upgrade
• Verb Group:
improve, amend, ameliorate, meliorate
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s
- Somebody ----s
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 (Freq. 69)
- 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
• Ant:
worse
• Similar to:
amended, finer, improved
• Usage Domain:
comparative, comparative degree
2. (comparative of 'good') changed for the better in health or fitness (Freq. 23)
- her health is better now
- I feel better
• Ant:
worse
• Similar to:
fitter, healthier
• Usage Domain:
comparative, comparative degree
3. (comparative and superlative of 'well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable (Freq. 8)
- it would be better to speak to him
- the White House thought it best not to respond
• Syn:
best
• Similar to:
advisable
• Usage Domain:
comparative, comparative degree
4. more than half
- argued for the better part of an hour
• Similar to:
major
1. comparative of 'well';
in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc. (Freq. 45)
- She had never sung better
- a deed better left undone
- better suited to the job
2. from a position of superiority or authority (Freq. 2)
- father knows best
- I know better.
• Syn:
best
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