better
better
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "better" is /ˈbɛtər/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
Bet-: /bɛt/
/b/: Voiced bilabial plosive (as in "bat")
/ɛ/: Open-mid front unrounded vowel (as in "bed")
/t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive (as in "top")
-ter: /ər/
/ər/: R-colored vowel (as in "butter") or, in non-rhotic accents, /ə/ (schwa)
Word Form Variations
"Better" is a somewhat unique word because it functions primarily as a comparative form, meaning its variations are related to its degree rather than typical singular/plural or tense changes.
Adjective (comparative): better
Adverb (comparative): better
Adjective (superlative): best
Adverb (superlative): best
Verb (base form): better
Verb (third-person singular present): betters
Verb (present participle): bettering
Verb (past tense/past participle): bettered
Noun: better (rarely used as a standalone noun, more commonly in phrases like "for the better")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Of a higher quality, more suitable, or more desirable than something else.
Synonyms: superior, finer, improved, preferable
Antonyms: worse, inferior, poorer, less desirable
Example: This new recipe is much better than the old one.
Definition 2: Recovered or recovering from illness or injury; in improved health.
Synonyms: healthier, fitter, stronger, recuperated
Antonyms: sicker, worse, ailing, unwell
Example: After a week of rest, she felt much better.
Definition 3: More advantageous or effective in a particular situation.
Synonyms: more effective, more efficient, more beneficial, more productive
Antonyms: less effective, less efficient, less beneficial, less productive
Example: It would be a better use of our time to focus on this task first.
Adverb
Definition 1: To a greater degree or extent; more effectively or proficiently.
Synonyms: more, more skillfully, more proficiently, more advantageously
Antonyms: less, worse, less skillfully, less proficiently
Example: He plays the piano better than anyone else I know.
Definition 2: In a more satisfactory or improved manner.
Synonyms: more favorably, more smoothly, more successfully, more positively
Antonyms: worse, less favorably, less smoothly, less successfully
Example: Things are going much better now that we've implemented the new system.
Verb
Definition 1: To improve or surpass something or someone.
Synonyms: improve, enhance, ameliorate, outdo, exceed
Antonyms: worsen, deteriorate, degrade, fall short of, fail
Example: The company aims to better its customer service every quarter.
Definition 2: To make something better or more agreeable.
Synonyms: improve, enhance, upgrade, refine, reform
Antonyms: worsen, degrade, damage, impair, diminish
Example: He tried to better his living conditions by getting a new job.
Noun
Definition 1: (Usually preceded by "the") Something that is more excellent or superior. (Often used in the phrase "for the better".)
Synonyms: improvement, advancement, betterment, progress
Antonyms: worsening, decline, deterioration, regression
Example: His health took a turn for the better after the surgery.
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859) - While not explicitly using "better," this classic opening sets up a comparison that implicitly defines "better" and "worse" through contrasting periods.
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." (Dr. Seuss, The Lorax, 1971) - This quote uses "better" as an adjective to describe an improved state of reality.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813) - Though "better" isn't in this specific quote, the entire premise of the novel revolves around characters striving for a "better" social standing, marriage, or reputation.
Newspapers:
"Economists predict a better year ahead for global trade, citing easing inflation and stable supply chains." (The Wall Street Journal) - Here, "better" is used as an adjective to describe an improved economic outlook.
"The city council approved a new initiative to better public transport services by adding more bus routes and extending operating hours." (The Guardian) - In this instance, "better" is used as a verb meaning "to improve."
"While the team played better in the second half, they ultimately couldn't overcome the early deficit." (The New York Times) - Used as an adverb, "better" describes the manner of play.
Online Publications:
"Here's how to make your home office setup even better for productivity." (Lifehacker.com, accessed) - An adjective, indicating an enhanced state.
"Five tips to help you better manage your time and reduce stress." (Forbes.com) - As a verb, meaning "to improve the management of."
"The latest software update offers a better user interface and improved security features." (TechCrunch.com) - An adjective, describing a superior interface.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination for an argument with a man who is a professional at cutting corners. I would rather you just said 'thank you' and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!" (Colonel Jessup in A Few Good Men, 1992) - While the quote itself doesn't contain "better," the entire film's premise is about determining what is "better" for national security versus individual rights, and whether actions were taken for the "greater good."
Television Series (e.g., The Good Place): The entire premise of the show revolves around characters trying to become "better" people in order to avoid eternal damnation and get into the titular Good Place. (NBC, 2016-2020) - Here, "better" is used as an adjective to describe moral improvement.
Music (Song Lyrics): "I wanna be better than I was yesterday." (From the song "Better" by Khalid, 2018) - An adjective, expressing a desire for self-improvement.
Video Games: "Your combat skills are getting better!" (Common feedback message in many RPGs like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) - An adverb, indicating an improvement in skill level.
General Public Discourse:
"We need to do better when it comes to addressing climate change." (Statement often heard in public debates or political speeches) - Used as a verb, meaning to improve performance.
"I hope you feel better soon!" (Common well-wishing phrase) - An adjective, referring to improved health.
"This new policy will make things better for everyone involved." (Conversational use) - An adjective, indicating a positive outcome.
"Can you explain that a little better?" (Request for clearer explanation) - An adverb, asking for improved clarity.
10 Famous Quotes Using Better
"It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness." (Chinese Proverb)
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on." (Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech, 2005)
"What does not kill me makes me stronger." (Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, 1888) - This quote implies that overcoming adversity makes one "better" or more resilient.
"You want to be the best, you have to work harder than everybody else. You have to be better." (Serena Williams)
"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both." (Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince)
"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose." (Lyndon B. Johnson) - This quote, though not using "better," implies that focusing on the future provides a "better" opportunity for success.
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." (Thomas Jefferson) - This quote is synonymous with the idea that effort leads to a "better" outcome or more favorable circumstances.
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." (Bob Marley) - This quote, though not using "better," suggests that challenging circumstances reveal an inner strength, leading to a "better" understanding of oneself.
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton) - This quote suggests that building upon previous knowledge leads to a "better" understanding or advancement.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates) - While not using "better," this quote metaphorically suggests that an examined life is "better" than an unexamined one, emphasizing the value of introspection for a more fulfilling existence.
Etymology
The word "better" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots all the way back to ancient Germanic languages. It's connected to a very old idea of "good" or "advantage."
Think of "better" as the "more good" version of something. It's the comparative form of "good," just like "taller" is the comparative of "tall." But unlike "tall" and "taller," the words "good" and "better" actually come from different root words. This is a bit unusual in language and is called suppletion.
Here's a breakdown:
Ancient Roots: The journey of "better" starts in a very old language called Proto-Indo-European with a root that meant something like "good" or "fortunate" (like ∗bhed−). This root then developed into Proto-Germanic as ∗batizo^, which already had the meaning of "better."
Old English: From Proto-Germanic, it moved into Old English as "betera" or "betra." At this point, it was already used to mean "of superior quality or excellence." The verb form, "beterian" (to make better, improve), also existed in Old English.
Middle English: As English evolved into Middle English, "betera" became "bettre" or "bettere." The adverbial form was often "bet," which you might still hear in some very old-fashioned phrases or dialects, but "better" eventually took over.
First Known Use and Meaning:
As an adjective (meaning "of superior quality" or "improved in health"), "better" has been in use since the Old English period (before 1150 AD).
As a verb (meaning "to improve" or "to make better"), its earliest known use also dates back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD).
Over time, it also took on meanings like "more useful or desirable" (late 12th century) and even developed into phrases like "better half" for a spouse (1570s).
So, in simple terms, "better" has always been about improvement or superiority, and its core meaning has stayed consistent for over a thousand years, even as the language around it changed.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Better
For the better: Signifying an improvement or positive change.
Get the better of someone/something: To defeat, overcome, or gain an advantage over someone or something.
Think better of it: To reconsider a decision or action and decide against it, usually because it's a wiser choice.
Had better (do something): Used to advise or recommend an action, implying that something negative will happen if the advice is not followed.
None the better: Not improved at all, despite an effort or change.
Better half: A person's spouse or romantic partner.
Better safe than sorry: It's preferable to be cautious and prepared than to take a risk and regret it later.
Better late than never: It's preferable to do something late than not at all.
Know better: To have enough experience or sense to avoid a particular mistake or bad behavior.
A better mousetrap: An idiom referring to a superior invention or idea that will naturally attract customers or users.
Better off: In a more advantageous or comfortable position.
To better oneself: To improve one's social, financial, or educational standing.
Take a turn for the better: To begin to improve after a period of decline or stagnation.
From better to worse: To deteriorate progressively.
My better judgment: One's good sense or wisdom, often implying a struggle between reason and impulse.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of better from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
