better

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Of a higher quality or standard than something else.

   This phone is better than my old one.

2. 2
   adv

   In a more excellent or effective way.

   She sings better than anyone in the choir.

3. 3
   adj

   Healthier or less ill than before.

   I felt much better after a good night's sleep.

4. 4
   verb

   To improve something or make it better.

   Their ideas for bettering the working conditions were well received.

From Middle English better, bettre, betre, from Old English betera (“better”), from Proto-West Germanic *batiʀō, from Proto-Germanic *batizô (“better”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰed-rós, from *bʰed- (“good”). Cognate with Sanskrit भ॒द्र (bhadrá, “blessed; fortunate; happy; good”) (from *bʰn̥d-ró-s). For Germanic cognates: see Proto-Germanic *batizô. Related to best and battle (“getting better; improving; fruitful; fertile”). Compare also Icelandic batna (“to improve”), bót (“improvement”), German besser. More at batten, boot. False cognate of Persian بهتر (behtar).

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