better
better /ˈbɛtɝ/
adjective
-
(
)
(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
-
()
(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
-
()
(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
-
More than half
(
better
)
more than half
Argued for the better part of an hour
argued for the better part of an hour
adverb
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
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
-
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
-
Someone who bets
(
better
, bettor
, punter
[Informal] , wagerer
)
someone who bets
verb
-
()
Get better
(
ameliorate
, meliorate
, better
, improve
)
get better
The weather improved toward evening
The weather improved toward evening
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
()
Morally admirable
(
good
)
morally admirable
She received a good grade on her math test.
She received a good grade on her math test.
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
()
Agreeable or pleasing
(
good
)
agreeable or pleasing
We all had a good time
we all had a good time
Good manners
good manners
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
()
Thorough
(
good
)
thorough
Had a good workout
had a good workout
Gave the house a good cleaning
gave the house a good cleaning
-
()
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
-
()
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)
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
()
Financially safe
(
dependable
, safe
, secure
, good
)
financially safe
A good investment
a good investment
A secure investment
a secure investment
-
Generally admired
(
good
)
generally admired
Good taste
good taste
-
Not left to spoil
(
good
, unspoiled
, unspoilt
)
not left to spoil
The meat is still good
the meat is still good
-
Not forged
(
good
, honest
)
not forged
A good dollar bill
a good dollar bill
-
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
-
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
-
Appealing to the mind
(
good
, serious
)
appealing to the mind
Good music
good music
A serious book
a serious book
-
Capable of pleasing
(
good
)
capable of pleasing
Good looks
good looks
adverb
-
()
[ 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
-
()
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
-
()
Benefit
(
good
)
benefit
For your own good
for your own good
What's the good of worrying?
what's the good of worrying?
-
()
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
-
()
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
-
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.
