better

Etymology 1

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 भद्र (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. Persian بهتر (behtar) is a false cognate.

adj

1. comparative degree of good
   Badger: You think you're better than other people. Mal: Just the ones I'm better than. 2002-11-01, “Shindig”, in Firefly, episode 4
2. comparative degree of well
3. Greater in amount or quantity
   “The air was still with the lonely thrill of 'now the hour is near' And the smell of sweat was better yet than the awful stench of fear.” 1972, Harvey Andrews, Hey Sandy
4. Greater or lesser (whichever is seen as more advantageous), in reference to value, distance, time, etc.
   The top electric vehicles have a range of 300 kilometres or better. (better = greater)
   Only one swimmer finished the race with a time better than two minutes. (better = lesser)

adv

1. comparative degree of well
   The engine runs better now that I've given it some oil.
   I’ve had enough of cycling with you chaps. I can spend my Sundays better than in tormenting cats and quarrelling and fighting. 1901, Louis Couperus, translated by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos, Small Souls
2. (colloquial shortening) Had better.
   You better do that if you know what's good for you.

noun

1. An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior.
   He quickly found Ali his better in the ring.

Etymology 2

Shortening of had better ('d better)

verb

1. (modal, auxiliary verb, colloquial) Had better.
   It's getting late. You better get on home.

Etymology 3

From Middle English beteren, from Old English beterian, betrian, from Proto-Germanic *batizōną. Cognate with West Frisian betterje (“to better”), Dutch beteren (“to better”), German bessern (“to better”), Danish bedre (“to better”), Swedish bättra (“to better”).

verb

1. (transitive) To improve.
   Love betters what is best. 1815, William Wordsworth, From the same (To the Supreme Being)
2. (intransitive) To become better; to improve.
   This government will better this society
3. (transitive) To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
4. (transitive) To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.

Etymology 4

Alternate spelling of bettor or modern formation from the verb to bet.

noun

1. Alternative spelling of bettor