好词典

better

UK //ˈbetə(r)//US //ˈbetər//

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。)

同义词:superior, improved, preferable

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。)

同义词:more effectively, more skillfully, more competently

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。)

同义词:improve, enhance, upgrade

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。)