
better
词源
源自古英语 'betera',与古高地德语 'bezziro' 同源,意为'更优的'或'更有效的'。
adjective
❶ 指质量、状态或程度比之前或其他人/事物更优秀或更令人满意。常用于比较两者或多者之间的优劣。
“This book is better than the one I read last week.”
(这本书比我上周读的那本更好。)
“Her performance today was much better than yesterday.”
(她今天的表现比昨天好多了。)
adverb
❶ 表示以更高水平或更有效的方式完成某事,常用于修饰动词或形容词的比较级。
“She sings better than anyone else in the choir.”
(她比合唱团里的其他人唱得更好。)
“You'll understand the topic better if you read the textbook.”
(如果你读课本,你会更好地理解这个主题。)
verb
❶ 指改善或提升某事物的质量、状态或表现,使其比之前更令人满意或有效。
“She worked hard to better her English skills.”
(她努力提高自己的英语水平。)
“The company aims to better its services next year.”
(公司计划明年改善其服务。)
常见短语
better off — 指某人或某事物处于更有利或更富裕的状态,常用于比较不同选择或情况下的优劣。
“You'd be better off taking the train instead of driving in this traffic.”
(在这种交通状况下,你坐火车会比开车更好。)
for better or worse — 表示无论结果是好是坏,都愿意接受或承担,常用于表达坚定的承诺或决定。
“They promised to stay together for better or worse.”
(他们承诺无论好坏都会在一起。)
better late than never — 表示虽然某事完成得晚,但总比不做好,常用于安慰或鼓励延迟的行动。
“He finally apologized—better late than never.”
(他终于道歉了——迟做总比不做好。)