better

Of higher quality or more suitable than someone or something else.

• This is a better idea.
• We found a better hotel near the beach.
• Is her new book better than the first one?

How to use it: better than someone/something (This camera is better than my old one.)

Similar words: superior

Opposites: worse

Common phrases: better than something, better quality, better choice

Healthy again after an illness or injury.

• She is better now.
• His injured knee was better after a week.
• Are you completely better yet?

How to use it: get better (I hope you get better soon.)

Similar words: well, recovered

Opposites: ill, sick

Common phrases: get better, all better, better now

More favorable in amount, distance, speed, or another measurement.

• I need a better price.
• She hopes for a time of twelve seconds or better.
• This model offers a range of four hundred miles or better.

Opposites: worse

Common phrases: or better, better price, better time

In a more successful, effective, or satisfactory way.

• I slept better last night.
• This key works better than the old one.
• Can you explain it better?

How to use it: better than someone/something (She sings better than I do.)

Similar words: more effectively

Opposites: worse

Common phrases: do better, work better, sleep better

Someone who is more skilled or is considered higher in rank or importance.

• He finally met his better at chess.
• She was told to respect her betters.
• They treated the visitor as their better.

Similar words: superior

Opposites: inferior

Common phrases: your better, your elders and betters, meet your better

Someone who risks money on a result, hoping to win more.

• The better lost all his money.
• Several betters backed the same horse.
• A careful better studies the odds.

Similar words: bettor, gambler

Common phrases: a better, successful better, horse racing better

To make something improve, or to become more successful.

• She wants to better her life.
• Training helped him better his chances of promotion.
• They moved abroad to better themselves.

Similar words: improve

Opposites: worsen

Common phrases: better yourself, better your life, better your chances

To do something more successfully than someone else, or achieve a higher result than before.

• She bettered her previous score.
• No one has bettered his record this year.
• Can the team better last season’s performance?

Similar words: surpass, beat, exceed

Common phrases: better a record, better your score, better a performance