bet·ter¹ / ˈbetər/ • adj. 1. comparative of good and well. ∎  of a more excellent or effective type or quality: hoping for better weather the new facilities were far better I'm better at algebra than Alice. ∎  more appropriate, advantageous, or well advised: there couldn't be a better time to start this job.2. partly or fully recovered from illness or injury: she's much better today his leg was getting better. ∎  fitter and healthier; less unwell: we'll feel a lot better after a decent night's sleep.• adv. comparative of well¹ . ∎  more excellently or effectively: Johnny could do better if he tried. ∎  to a greater degree; more: I liked it better when we lived in the country. ∎  more suitably, appropriately, or usefully: the money could be better spent on more urgent cases.• n. 1. the better one; that which is better: the Natural History Museum book is by far the better of the two a change for the better.2. (one's betters) chiefly dated or humorous one's superiors in social class or ability: amusing themselves by imitating their betters.• v. [tr.] improve on or surpass (an existing or previous level or achievement): bettering his previous time by ten minutes. ∎  make (something) better; improve: his ideas for bettering the working conditions. ∎  (better oneself) achieve a better social position or status: the residents are mostly welfare mothers who have bettered themselves. ∎  overcome or defeat (someone): she bettered him at archery.PHRASES: be better off be in a better position, esp. in financial terms.the —— the better used to emphasize the importance or desirability of the quality or thing specified: the sooner we're off, the better the more people there the better.the better part of almost all of; most of: it is the better part of a mile.better than more than: he'd lived there for better than twenty years.the better to —— so as to —— better: he leaned closer the better to hear her.for better or (for) worse whether the outcome is good or bad: ours, for better or for worse, is the century of youth.get the better of (often of something immaterial) win an advantage over (someone); defeat or outwit: curiosity got the better of her. go one better narrowly surpass a previous effort or achievement: I want to go one better this time and score. ∎  narrowly outdo (another person): he went one better than Jack by reaching the finals.had better do something would find it wiser to do something; ought to do something: you had better be careful.have the better of be more successful in a contest: she usually had the better of these debates.no (or little) better than just (or almost) the same as; merely: government officials who were often no better than bandits.bet·ter² • n. variant spelling of bettor.