Search results for 'better':

bet verb (bet or betted, betting) 1 tr & intr to risk (a sum of money or other asset) on predicting the outcome or result of a future event, especially a race or other sporting event, in such a way that the better wins money if the outcome is as predicted, and loses the stake² if it is not • bet £5 on the favourite. 2 (usually bet someone something) to make a bet (of a specified amount with someone in particular), so that if one's prediction is correct one wins (that amount from them), and if not, one loses (that amount to them) • She bet me £1 that you'd be late. 3 colloq to feel sure or confident • I bet they'll be late. noun 1 an act of betting. 2 a sum of money, or other asset, betted. 3 colloq an opinion or guess • My bet is that he's bluffing. 4 colloq a choice of action or way ahead • Our best bet is to postpone the trip. better or sometimes bettor noun a person who bets. bet one's bottom dollar to bet all one has. you bet slang, especially US certainly; definitely; of course.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c.

better¹ adj (comparative of good) 1 more excellent, suitable or desirable, etc. 2 (usually better at something) more successful, skilful, etc in doing it. 3 (comparative of well¹) (especially be or feel or get better) partly or fully improved in health or recovered from illness. 4 greater • the better part of a day. adverb (comparative of well¹) 1 more excellently, successfully or fully, etc • You can see better from here. 2 in or to a greater degree • knows the area better than I do. noun 1 (especially betters) a person superior in quality or status, etc • Respect your elders and betters. 2 (the better) the thing or person that is the more excellent or suitable, etc of two comparable things or people • This is the better of my two attempts. verb (bettered, bettering) 1 to beat or improve on something • can't better his original score. 2 to make something more suitable, desirable or excellent, etc • set out to better the conditions for the workers. all the better for something very much better as a result of it. better off more affluent or fortunate; wealthier or in happier circumstances. better oneself to improve one's position or social standing. for better or for worse no matter what happens. get the better of someone to gain the advantage over them; to outwit them. go one better than someone to beat them by improving on what they have done, achieved or offered, etc. had better do something ought to do it, especially in order to avoid some undesirable outcome. so much the better that is, or would be, preferable.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon betera; 14c as verb 2.

good adj (better, best) 1 a having desirable or necessary (positive) qualities; admirable; b patronizing used when addressing or referring to someone • my good man • your good lady. 2 a morally correct; virtuous; b (the good) virtuous people in general (see the 4). 3 kind and generous. 4 bringing happiness or pleasure • good news. 5 well-behaved. 6 wise; advisable • a good buy. 7 thorough. 8 finest compared with others • my good china. 9 adequate; satisfactory • a good supply. 10 enjoyable • having a good time. 11 valid. 12 well-respected. 13 sound; giving use; serviceable • The roof is good for another winter. 14 financially sound • a good investment. 15 considerable; at least • waited a good while • lasted a good month. 16 certain to provide the desired result • good for a laugh. 17 used to introduce exclamations expressing surprise, dismay, or exasperation • good heavens • good grief • good golly. noun 1 moral correctness; virtue. 2 benefit; advantage • do you good • £20 to the good • It turned out all to the good. exclamation expressing approval or satisfaction. adverb, colloq very well • The boy Linneker done good. as good as ... almost ... ; virtually .... as good as gold or good as gold said especially of children: extremely well-behaved. be as good as one's word to carry out one's promises. for good or for good and all for ever; permanently. good and ... colloq very ... ; completely or absolutely ... • good and ready. good at something competent at it; talented in that area. good for someone or something beneficial to them or it. good for you, etc! or (Austral, NZ colloq) or good on you, etc! 1 an expression of approval or congratulation. 2 an expression of snide resentment. good morning or good afternoon or good evening traditional expressions used when either meeting or parting from someone at the specified time of day. good night a traditional expression used when parting from someone at night or well on in the day. in someone's good books in favour with someone. make good to be successful. make something good 1 to repair it. 2 to carry it out or fulfil it. no good 1 useless. 2 worthless. to the good on the credit side.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon god.

well¹ adverb (better, best) 1 competently; skilfully. 2 satisfactorily. 3 kindly or favourably. 4 thoroughly, properly or carefully. 5 fully or adequately. 6 intimately • don't know her well. 7 successfully; prosperously. 8 approvingly. 9 attractively. 10 by a long way • well past midnight. 11 justifiably • can't very well ignore him. 12 conceivably; quite possibly • may well be right. 13 understandably • if she objects, as well she may. 14 very much • well worth doing. 15 usually colloq used in combination for emphasis • I'm jolly well going to • I was well pleased! adj (better, best) 1 healthy. 2 in a satisfactory state. 3 sensible; advisable • would be well to check. exclamation 1 used enquiringly in expectation of a response or explanation, etc. 2 used variously in conversation, eg to resume a narrative, preface a reply, express surprise, indignation or doubt, etc. all very well colloq said as an objecting response to a consoling remark: satisfactory or acceptable but only up to a point • It's all very well to criticize. as well 1 too; in addition. 2 (also just as well) for all the difference it makes • I may as well tell you. 3 (also just as well) a good thing; lucky • It was just as well you came when you did. as well as ... in addition to ... be as well to do something to be sensible to do it. do well out of something to profit from it. leave or let well alone not to interfere in things that are satisfactory as they are. mean well to have helpful or kindly intentions. very well an expression of acceptance in complying with an order or accepting a point, etc. well and good used to show acceptance of facts or a situation. well and truly thoroughly; completely. well away 1 making rapid progress; far away. 2 colloq drunk or asleep, etc. well done! an expression used to congratulate someone on an achievement, etc. well enough satisfactory within limits. well off 1 wealthy; financially comfortable. 2 fortunate; successful. well out of something colloq fortunate to be free of it. well up in something colloq having a thorough knowledge of it. well, well expressing surprise. well worth something definitely worth it.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon wel.