better

Universal Words adjective, adverb, noun, verb adjective (comparative of good) 1 of a higher standard or less poor quality; not as bad as sth else: We're hoping for better weather tomorrow. * Her work is getting better and better. * He is in a much better mood than usual. * The meal couldn't have been better. * There's nothing better than a long soak in a hot bath. * If you can only exercise once a week, that's better than nothing (= better than taking no exercise at all). 2 more able or skilled: She's far better at science than her brother. 3 more suitable or appropriate: Can you think of a better word than 'nice'? * It would be better for him to talk to his parents about his problems. * You'd be better going by bus. 4 less ill/sick or unhappy: She's a lot better today. * His leg was getting better. * You'll feel all the better for a good night's sleep. IDIOMS Most idioms containing better are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example better luck next time is at luck. little / no better than almost or just the same as; almost or just as bad as: The path was no better than a sheep track. that's (much) better 1 used to give support to sb who has been upset and is trying to become calmer: Dry your eyes now. That's better. 2 used to praise sb who has made an effort to improve: That's much better-you played the right notes this time. the bigger, smaller, faster, slower, etc. the better used to say that sth should be as big, small, etc. as possible: As far as the hard disk is concerned, the bigger the better. moreatDISCRETION, HEADn., PARTn., PREVENTION adverb (comparative of well) 1 in a more excellent or pleasant way; not as badly: She sings much better than I do. * Sound travels better in water than in air. * People are better educated now. 2 more; to a greater degree: You'll like her when you know her better. * A cup of tea? There's nothing I'd like better! * Fit people are better able to cope with stress. 3 used to suggest that sth would be a suitable or appropriate thing to do: The money could be better spent on more urgent cases. * Some things are better left unsaid. * You'd do better to tell her everything before she finds out from someone else. IDIOMS Most idioms containing better are at the entries for the nouns, adjectives and verbs in the idioms, for example better the devil you know is at devil. be better off to have more money: Families will be better off under the new law. * Her promotion means she's $100 a week better off. be better off (doing sth) used to say that sb is/would be happier or more satisfied if they were in a particular position or did a particular thing: She's better off without him. * The weather was so bad we'd have been better off staying at home. had better / best (do sth) used to tell sb what you think they should do: You'd better go to the doctor about your cough. * We'd better leave now or we'll miss the bus. * You'd better not do that again. * 'I'll give you back the money tomorrow.' 'You'd better!' (= as a threat) -< SHOULD noun 1 [sing.,U] something that is better: the better of the two books * I expected better of him (= I thought he would have behaved better). 2 (your betters) [pl.] (old-fashioned) people who are more intelligent or more important than you IDIOMS for better or (for) worse used to say that sth cannot be changed, whether the result is good or bad get the better of sb/sth to defeat sb/sth or gain an advantage: No one can get the better of her in an argument. * She always gets the better of an argument. * His curiosity got the better of him (= he didn't intend to ask questions, but he wanted to know so badly that he did). so much the better / worse used to say that sth is even better/worse: We don't actually need it on Tuesday, but if it arrives by then, so much the better. moreatCHANGEn., ELDERn., THINKv. verb [VN] 1 [oftenpassive] to be better or do sth better than sb/sth else: The work he produced early in his career has never really been bettered. 2 ~ yourself to improve your social position through education, a better job, etc: Thousands of Victorian workers joined educational associations in an attempt to better themselves.