bettering

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

bet•ter¹ /ˈbɛtɚ/   adj. comparative form of good.

1. of higher or superior quality or excellence:
   We got a better view of the city from the top of the Empire State Building.
2. morally superior:
   Those politicians are no better than thieves.
3. of superior suitability;
   preferable:
   There could not be a better time for action.
   [it + be + ~ + verb-ing]
   It's better having short lines with more bank tellers.
   [it + be + ~ + to + verb]
   It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
   [it + be + ~ + that clause]
   It's better that we stop meeting like this.
4. larger;
   greater:
   This homework assignment will take the better part of a day to finish.
5. improved in health;
   healthier than before:
   Well, are you feeling any better today?

adv., [comparative form of well.]

6. in a more appropriate manner:
   Behave better when your grandparents come over.
7. to a greater degree;
   more completely:
   She knows the way better than I do.

v. 

8. to (cause to) improve: [~ + object]
   She worked hard to better the lot of the needy.
   [no object]
   Economic conditions have not bettered.
9. [~ + object] to improve upon:
   We have bettered last year's production.

n. [countable]

10. [usually singular] something that is preferable:
    the better of two choices.
11. Usually, betters. [plural] those superior to oneself:
    Stop thinking of them as your betters.

Idioms

12. Idioms better off, [be + ~]
    • in better circumstances:
      Are we better off than we were four years ago?
    • [be + ~] more fortunate;
      happier:
      You are better off without him.
13. Idioms for the better, in a way that is an improvement:
    His health changed for the better.
14. Idioms get or have the better of, [~ + object]
    • to have or get an advantage over:
      They have the better of me in the opening part of the race.
    • to prevail against;
      win over:
      Her curiosity got the better of her.
15. Idioms go (someone) one better, to exceed someone else's efforts;
    surpass:
    She did her rival one better by coming to the meeting better prepared.
16. Idioms had better, [~ + root form of a verb] ought to:
    We had better renegotiate this contract.
17. Idioms think better of, [~ + object]
    • to reconsider or think (something) over again:
      I was tempted to make a wisecrack, but thought better of it and kept quiet.
    • to form a higher opinion of:
      I'm sure she thinks better of you now that she knows how kind you are.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bet•ter¹  (bet′ər), adj., [compar. of] good [with] best [as superl.]

1. of superior quality or excellence:
   a better coat; a better speech.
2. morally superior;
   more virtuous:
   They are no better than thieves.
3. of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.;
   preferable:
   a better time for action.
4. larger;
   greater:
   the better part of a lifetime.
5. improved in health;
   healthier than before.
6. completely recovered in health.
7. Idioms no better than one should be, [Disparaging.] morally inferior;
   immoral or amoral.

adv., [compar. of] well [with] best [as superl.]

8. in a more appropriate or acceptable way or manner:
   to behave better.
9. to a greater degree;
   more completely or thoroughly:
   He knows the way better than we do. I probably know him better than anyone else.
10. more:
    I walked better than a mile to town.
11. Idioms better off:
    • in better circumstances.
    • more fortunate;
      happier:
      Because of his asthma, he would be better off in a different climate.
12. Idioms go (someone) one better, to exceed the effort of;
    be superior to:
    The neighbors went us one better by buying two new cars.
13. Idioms had better, would be wiser or more well-advised to;
    ought to:
    We had better stay indoors today.
14. Idioms think better of:
    • to reconsider and decide more favorably or wisely regarding:
      I was tempted to make a sarcastic retort, but thought better of it.
    • to form a higher opinion of.

v.t. 

15. to increase the good qualities of;
    make better;
    improve:
    to better the lot of the suburban commuter.
16. to improve upon;
    surpass;
    exceed:
    We have bettered last year's production record.
17. Games [Cards.] to raise (a previous bid).
18. Idioms better oneself, to improve one's social standing, financial position, or education:
    He is going to night school because he wants to better himself.

n. 

19. that which has greater excellence or is preferable or wiser:
    the better of two choices.
20. Usually, betters. those superior to one in wisdom, wealth, etc.
21. Idioms for the better, in a way that is an improvement:
    His health changed for the better.
22. Idioms get or have the better of:
    • to get an advantage over.
    • to prevail against.

• bef. 900; Middle English bettre, Old English bet(t)(e)ra; cognate with Old High German bezziro (German besser), Dutch beter, Old Norse betr, Gothic batiza, equivalent. to bat- (cognate with Old High German baz (adverb, adverbial) better; akin to boot²) + -iza comparative suffix; suggested relation to Sanskrit bhadrá- "fortunate'' is doubtful. See best

Synonyms

15. amend; advance, promote; reform, correct, rectify. See improve. 

bet•ter²  (bet′ər), n. 

1. bettor.

• bet + -er¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

better / ˈbɛtə/ adjective

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

adverb

1. the comparative of well1
2. in a more excellent manner; more advantageously, attractively, etc
3. in or to a greater degree or extent; more
4. had better ⇒ would be wise, sensible, etc to: I had better be off
5. think better of ⇒ to change one's course of action after reconsideration
6. to rate (a person) more highly

noun

1. the better ⇒ something that is the more excellent, useful, etc, of two such things
2. (usually plural) a person who is superior, esp in social standing or ability
3. for the better ⇒ by way of improvement
4. get the better of ⇒ to defeat, outwit, or surpass

verb

1. to make or become better
2. (transitive) to improve upon; surpass

Etymology: Old English betera; related to Old Norse betri, Gothic batiza, Old High German beziro