Word · Frequency #704
better
长辈；上级
a person who is considered better than another; one's superior or elder
常用于复数，指地位或年龄更高的人
- 1.
An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior.
被认为优于另一方的实体(通常指有生命的)；有优先权者；上级。
- 2.
something superior in quality or condition or effect
质量、状态或效果更优的事物
- 3.
someone who bets
下注的人
- 4.
a superior person having claim to precedence
有优先权的优秀人士
更好的事物；更优者；下注者；打赌者；被认为优于另一方的实体(通常指有生命的)；有优先权者；上级。；质量、状态或效果更优的事物；下注的人
In use
He is the better of the two players.
Let's see who gets the better of whom in this debate.
She always looks for the better in people.
a change for the better
the common man has been kept in his place by his betters
the better of [two]
用于两者之间的比较。
She is the better of the two candidates.
她是两位候选人中更好的那位。
a better [at sth]
此义项较为罕见，指下注的人。
He is a better at horse racing.
他是赛马的下注者。
Connections
Collocations
- one's betters
- 长辈；上级；比自己强的人
- When I was young, I was taught to respect my betters.我小时候被教导要尊重长辈和上级。
- get the better of
- 占上风；战胜；使难以控制
- Don't let your nerves get the better of you.别让紧张情绪控制你。
- change for the better
- 好转；向好的方向改变
- The new schedule is a change for the better.新时间表是一种向好的改变。
Idioms & figurative uses
- get the better of
- 占上风；战胜；压倒Don't let frustration get the better of you.别让挫败感控制了你。
- change for the better
- 好转；向好的方向转变After the new manager arrived, things changed for the better.新经理来了之后，情况好转了。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
better 是 good 的比较级，名词指'更好的人'，如长辈、上级；联想：长辈总希望你做得更好。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：formal or dated social hierarchy、sports betting or gambling、comparison phrases such as 'the better of' 作为名词时，better 在不同搭配中语域差别较大。表示“长辈/上级”时通常较正式或略带旧式，多出现在书面语中；表示“下注者”时则比较常见于日常用语和体育博彩等场景，且常拼作 bettor；表示“更好的事物”时多用于比较性表达。实际使用请根据语境灵活选择，避免把正式用法与口语用法混用。
Pronunciation & Spelling
以下词与 better 的元音和结尾辅音相同，押韵：letter, setter, wetter, debtor, sweater。注意 later 拼写相似，但读作 /ˈleɪtɚ/，不押韵。
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 5，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.