1. (a.) Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a better air.

2. (a.) Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness, acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect.

3. (a.) Greater in amount; larger; more.

4. (a.) Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better.

5. (a.) More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance; a better knowledge of the subject.

6. (n.) Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with of; as, to get the better of an enemy.

7. (n.) One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in merit, social standing, etc.; -- usually in the plural.

8. (compar.) In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as, Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than recruits.

9. (compar.) More correctly or thoroughly.

10. (compar.) In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one better than another.

11. (compar.) More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten miles and better.

12. (v.) To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of.

13. (v.) To improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise.

14. (v.) To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.

15. (v.) To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.

16. (v. i.) To become better; to improve.

17. (n.) One who bets or lays a wager.