The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - better° adj.

1) superior: You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din. Can you suggest a better investment than the Channel Tunnel? I know of no better invention than the wheel. 2) more; greater, larger, bigger: I waited for her the better part of two hours. 3) wiser, safer, well-advised, more intelligent: It would be better to wait till tomorrow to tell her. 4) healthier, haler, heartier, less ill or US sick, improved; cured, recovered: You will feel better after you have eaten something. --adv. 5) preferably, best; more wisely, more advisedly, more safely: We had better go before the trouble starts. 6) better off. a improved, happier, well-advised: You'd be better off attending a technical college. b wealthier, richer: She is better off than any of us. 7) think better of. reconsider, think twice, change one's mind: He was going to fight but thought better of it. --n. 8) advantage, mastery, superiority, control: Don't let the obstacle course get the better of you. 9) betters. superiors: That young imp should learn how to address his elders and betters! --v. 1) 0 improve, ameliorate, advance, raise, elevate: It was impossible in those days for labourers to better their condition. 11) surpass, excel, outdo, outstrip, beat, improve: She bettered her record in the 100-metre hurdles by two-tenths of a second.