Inside the Universes

Words with a similar base: better

'better'

[better.n.01] as in: something superior in quality or condition or effect

Examples:
a change for the better

'better'

[bettor.n.01] as in: someone who bets

'better'

[better.n.03] as in: a superior person having claim to precedence

Examples:
the common man has been kept in his place by his betters

'better'

[better.n.04] as in: the superior one of two alternatives

Examples:
chose the better of the two

'better'

[better.v.01] as in: surpass in excellence

Examples:
She bettered her own record
break a record

'better'

[better.v.02] as in: to make better

Examples:
The editor improved the manuscript with his changes

'better'

[better.v.03] as in: get better

Examples:
The weather improved toward evening

'better'

[better.a.01] as in: (comparative of `good') superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

Examples:
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din
a better coat
a better type of car
a suit with a better fit
a better chance of success
produced a better mousetrap
she's better in math than in history

'better'

[better.a.02] as in: (comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or fitness

Examples:
her health is better now
I feel better

'better'

[better.s.01] as in: (comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable

Examples:
it would be better to speak to him
the White House thought it best not to respond

'better'

[better.s.02] as in: more than half

Examples:
argued for the better part of an hour

'better'

[good.a.01] as in: having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

Examples:
good news from the hospital
a good report card
when she was good she was very very good
a good knife is one good for cutting
this stump will make a good picnic table
a good check
a good joke
a good exterior paint
a good secretary
a good dress for the office

'better'

[full.s.04] as in: having the normally expected amount

Examples:
gives full measure
gives good measure
a good mile from here

'better'

[good.a.03] as in: morally admirable

'better'

[estimable.s.01] as in: deserving of esteem and respect

Examples:
all respectable companies give guarantees
ruined the family's good name

'better'

[beneficial.s.01] as in: promoting or enhancing well-being

Examples:
an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
the beneficial effects of a temperate climate
the experience was good for her

'better'

[good.s.04] as in: agreeable or pleasing

Examples:
we all had a good time
good manners

'better'

[good.s.05] as in: of moral excellence

Examples:
a genuinely good person
a just cause
an upright and respectable man

'better'

[adept.s.01] as in: having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

Examples:
adept in handicrafts
an adept juggler
an expert job
a good mechanic
a practiced marksman
a proficient engineer
a lesser-known but no less skillful composer
the effect was achieved by skillful retouching

'better'

[good.s.07] as in: thorough

Examples:
had a good workout
gave the house a good cleaning

'better'

[dear.s.02] as in: with or in a close or intimate relationship

Examples:
a good friend
my sisters and brothers are near and dear

'better'

[dependable.s.03] as in: financially sound

Examples:
a good investment
a secure investment

'better'

[good.s.10] as in: most suitable or right for a particular purpose

Examples:
a good time to plant tomatoes
the right time to act
the time is ripe for great sociological changes

'better'

[good.s.11] as in: resulting favorably

Examples:
it's a good thing that I wasn't there
it is good that you stayed
it is well that no one saw you
all's well that ends well

'better'

[effective.s.03] as in: exerting force or influence

Examples:
the law is effective immediately
a warranty good for two years
the law is already in effect (or in force)

'better'

[good.s.13] as in: capable of pleasing

Examples:
good looks

'better'

[good.s.14] as in: appealing to the mind

Examples:
good music
a serious book

'better'

[good.s.15] as in: in excellent physical condition

Examples:
good teeth
I still have one good leg
a sound mind in a sound body

'better'

[good.s.16] as in: tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health

Examples:
beneficial effects of a balanced diet
a good night's sleep
the salutary influence of pure air

'better'

[good.s.17] as in: not forged

Examples:
a good dollar bill

'better'

[good.s.18] as in: not left to spoil

Examples:
the meat is still good

'better'

[good.s.19] as in: generally admired

Examples:
good taste

'better'

[well.a.01] as in: in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury

Examples:
appears to be entirely well
the wound is nearly well
a well man
I think I'm well; at least I feel well

'better'

[good.s.11] as in: resulting favorably

Examples:
it's a good thing that I wasn't there
it is good that you stayed
it is well that no one saw you
all's well that ends well

'better'

[well.s.02] as in: wise or advantageous and hence advisable

Examples:
it would be well to start early

'better'

[better.r.01] as in: comparative of `well'; in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc.

Examples:
She had never sung better
a deed better left undone
better suited to the job

'better'

[better.r.02] as in: from a position of superiority or authority

Examples:
father knows best
I know better.

'better'

[well.r.01] as in: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')

Examples:
the children behaved well
a task well done
the party went well
he slept well
a well-argued thesis
a well-seasoned dish
a well-planned party
the baby can walk pretty good

'better'

[well.r.02] as in: thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form; ; ; ; ; ,

Examples:
The problem is well understood
she was well informed
shake well before using
in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked
well-done beef
well-satisfied customers
well-educated

'better'

[well.r.03] as in: indicating high probability; in all likelihood

Examples:
I might well do it
a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
you may well need your umbrella
he could equally well be trying to deceive us

'better'

[well.r.04] as in: (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully

Examples:
a book well worth reading
was well aware of the difficulties ahead
suspected only too well what might be going on

'better'

[well.r.05] as in: to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree

Examples:
the project was well underway
the fetus has well developed organs
his father was well pleased with his grades

'better'

[well.r.06] as in: favorably; with approval

Examples:
their neighbors spoke well of them
he thought well of the book

'better'

[well.r.07] as in: to a great extent or degree

Examples:
I'm afraid the film was well over budget
painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger
the house has fallen considerably in value
the price went up substantially

'better'

[well.r.08] as in: with great or especially intimate knowledge

Examples:
we knew them well

'better'

[well.r.09] as in: with prudence or propriety

Examples:
You would do well to say nothing more
could not well refuse

'better'

[well.r.10] as in: with skill or in a pleasing manner

Examples:
she dances well
he writes well

'better'

[well.r.11] as in: in a manner affording benefit or advantage

Examples:
she married well
The children were settled advantageously in Seattle

'better'

[well.r.12] as in: in financial comfort

Examples:
They live well
she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died

'better'

[well.r.13] as in: without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor

Examples:
took the joke well
took the tragic news well

Origins

					better (English)
└── better (Middle English (1100-1500))