a. (good和well的比較級)
- 較佳的;更好的
They wanted
better housing.
他們要求更好的住房。
- 更適當的;更稱心的
This is a
better example than the first.
這個例子比第一個更恰當。
- 健康狀況有所好轉的;健康恢復的
Are you feeling any
better?
你覺得好一些嗎?
ad. (well的比較級)
- 更好地;更適當地
Try to do
better next time.
下次爭取做得更好些。
- 較大程度地;更
Perhaps they like you
better than me.
也許比起我來他們更喜歡你呢。
n.
- (人或事物)較優者,較好者[the S]
The weather has taken a turn for the
better.
天氣已經轉好。
- 上司們;長輩[P]
We were told to obey our
betters.
吩咐我們要服從上司。
vt.
- 改善;改進;提高
He had tried hard to
better his status, but failed.
他努力設法改善自己的地位,但未能成功。
- 超過;勝過
vi.
- 變得較好
Working conditions have
bettered a lot.
工作條件已大為改善。
片語
for better or (for) worse
- 不管怎樣
He promised to take her
for better or for worse.
他答應不管怎樣都要娶她。
get the better of
- 打敗
They
got the better of their opponents.
他們擊敗了對手。
no better than
- 實際上和……一樣
He is
no better than a bum.
他與無業遊民沒有什麼兩樣。
辨析
adj.
- more desirable, satisfactory, or effective.
[compar. of the adj. good.]
▸more appropriate, advantageous, or well advised.
- partly or fully recovered from illness or injury.
[compar. of the adj. well1.]
adv.
more excellently or effectively.
▸to a greater degree; more.
▸more suitably or usefully.
n.
- that which is better; the better one.
-
(one's betters)
chiefly dated or humorous one's superiors in social class or ability.
v.
improve on or surpass.
▸
(better oneself)
achieve a higher social position or status.
▸overcome or defeat (someone).
Phrase
- one's better half
informal one's wife, husband, or partner. - better off
in a more advantageous position, especially in financial terms. - the better part of
most of. - better than
N. Amer. more than. - the better to ——
so as to do the specified thing better. - for better or
(for)
worse
whether the outcome is good or bad. - get the better of
defeat or overcome. - go one better
narrowly surpass. - had better
would find it wiser to.
Usage
In the verb phrase had better do something the word had is often dropped in informal spoken contexts, as in you better not come tonight. In writing, the had may be contracted to 'd but it should not be dropped altogether.
Etymology
OE betera (adj.), of Gmc origin.