better
/ˈbetə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛtɚ] /ˈbetər/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɛtɚ] /ˈbe-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbet.ər/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛtɚ] /ˈbet̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
better — adjective
- betterpositive
- betterercomparative
- betterestsuperlative
1. of higher quality, or more suitable or useful than another person or thing in th
of higher quality, or more suitable or useful than another person or thing in the same situation.
Linh bought the better microphone after comparing both recordings.
better + noun after comparison
This path is better for wheelchairs because the slope is gentle.
After two interviews, Christopher seemed the better choice for captain.
The second map gives hikers a better idea of the river bend.
文法句型
better + noun
be better than
用法筆記
Use this sense to compare two choices, people, or states. After linking verbs, it often means more suitable, more pleasing, or more effective in the situation.
2. back to normal health after sickness or an injury.
back to normal health after sickness or an injury.
After three days of rest, Amani finally felt better.
feel better after illness
Tanvi looked better once the fever medicine started working.
The dog was better by Friday and wanted a short walk.
Ezra sounded much better on the phone after the surgery.
文法句型
feel better
get better
be better
用法筆記
Usually follows verbs such as feel, get, look, or sound. It describes recovery, not general improvement in skill or quality.
3. showing improvement compared with before, even if it is not fully good yet.
showing improvement compared with before, even if it is not fully good yet.
Traffic was better today, but the bridge was still crowded.
better now than before
Rodrigo's handwriting is better now after weeks of practice.
The room looked better once we opened the curtains.
Sales were better in May than they were in April.
文法句型
be better now
get better over time
用法筆記
This sense focuses on improvement from an earlier state. Distinguish it from sense 2, which is specifically about recovery from illness or injury.
better — adverb
1. more successfully, more usefully, or at a higher level than before or than anoth
more successfully, more usefully, or at a higher level than before or than another option.
Takeshi sleeps better when the window is slightly open.
verb + better for improved result
With subtitles on, my parents understood the film better.
After the second lesson, Anya could balance much better on the board.
We know the city better after walking through it at dawn.
文法句型
verb + better
much better + verb
用法筆記
Common after verbs such as know, sleep, understand, and do. It often marks a stronger result after some helpful change.
2. used before an adjective or participle to show a higher degree, especially in se
used before an adjective or participle to show a higher degree, especially in set comparisons.
Rachel arrived better prepared for the interview than I was.
better + past participle
The singer is better known in Brazil than in Spain.
After the workshop, Mert felt better able to explain the software.
This route is better suited to bikes than to cars.
文法句型
better + past participle
better + adjective
用法筆記
This pattern often appears with participles such as known, prepared, suited, or placed. It usually compares degrees rather than full actions.
3. said before another suggestion to mark it as an even more pleasing or practical
said before another suggestion to mark it as an even more pleasing or practical choice.
Call the clinic tomorrow, or better still, book online tonight.
or better still for a stronger suggestion
We could meet at noon, or better yet, share lunch first.
Send one photo now, or better, bring the camera.
Start with the short report, or better still, read the summary sheet.
文法句型
or better still
or better yet
or better
用法筆記
It usually follows an earlier idea and introduces a choice the speaker likes more. It is common in speech and informal writing.
4. used in had better or would do better to say what is wiser, often with warning o
used in had better or would do better to say what is wiser, often with warning or strong advice.
You had better charge the lantern before the storm arrives.
had better + base verb
We would do better to leave before the parade blocks the road.
would do better to + verb
Eitan had better tell the coach about his ankle today.
You had better not joke about passports at the airport.
文法句型
had better + base verb
would do better to + verb
用法筆記
Had better is stronger than a casual suggestion and can sound like a warning. Use the base form of the verb after it.
better — noun
1. a person, thing, or result judged to be above what is being discussed or compare
a person, thing, or result judged to be above what is being discussed or compared.
The bakery's new loaf was good, but I have tasted better.
have tasted better
We watched eight goalkeepers today, and I have not seen better this season.
The old speaker still works, and we cannot afford better right now.
The coach admired the finish and said no better was possible.
文法句型
have seen better
afford better
no better
用法筆記
This noun use often appears without a following noun because the comparison is understood from context. It commonly follows verbs such as see, taste, or afford.
2. the more respectful treatment, performance, or result someone should receive or
the more respectful treatment, performance, or result someone should receive or should have given.
Amani left the company because she deserved better.
deserve better
After the shouting, the children expected better from their uncle.
The patients deserve better than chairs in a cold hallway.
Ezra wanted better from the team after another careless loss.
文法句型
deserve better
expect better from
用法筆記
Use this sense when someone has behaved badly or given too little. It often appears after deserve, expect, want, or ask for.
3. people placed above you in class, authority, or social standing.
people placed above you in class, authority, or social standing.
In the old estate, servants never questioned their betters.
one's betters in a class system
The play mocks people who bow too quickly to their betters.
As a page, Christopher was taught to step aside for his betters.
The novel shows a clerk trying to impress his betters at dinner.
文法句型
one's betters
用法筆記
This is an old-fashioned or literary use. It usually refers to social rank rather than moral quality or personal talent.
better — verb
- betterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- betters3rd person singular
- bettering-ing form
- betteredpast simple
1. to make a condition, system, or situation better than it was before.
to make a condition, system, or situation better than it was before.
The grant will better housing conditions in the fishing town.
better + conditions
Volunteers worked to better access to clean water in the valley.
The repairs better safety for children using the school stairs.
New rules could better working conditions for night nurses.
文法句型
better + object
用法筆記
This verb is more formal than improve. It is common in writing about policy, education, health, or living conditions.
2. to raise your own social or professional position, often through study or work.
to raise your own social or professional position, often through study or work.
Linh took evening classes to better herself after the factory closed.
better oneself through study
Mert moved abroad hoping to better himself through study.
The brothers saved every bonus to better themselves and their children.
Rachel joined the apprenticeship program to better herself without borrowing money.
文法句型
better oneself
用法筆記
This use usually takes a reflexive object such as himself, herself, or themselves. It suggests social or economic progress rather than simple self-improvement.