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Higher vs Better - What's the difference?

higher | better |

As adjectives the difference between higher and better

is that higher is comparative of high while better is comparative of good.

As adverbs the difference between higher and better

is that higher is comparative of high POS=adverb while better is comparative of well POS=adverb.

As nouns the difference between higher and better

is that higher is {{cx|Scotland|education|lang=en}} A national school-leaving examination and university entrance qualification while better is an entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior.

As a verb better is

to improve.

higher

English

Adjective

(head)
  • (high)

    • Adverb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A national school-leaving examination and university entrance qualification.

    • Statistics

    *

    better

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) better, bettre, betre, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (good)
  • * {{quote-video, date = 2002-11-01
    • , title = , episode = , number = 4 , passage = Badger:'' You think you're better''' than other people.
    ''Mal:'' Just the ones I'm '     better than. }}
  • (well)
  • larger, greater
    • Derived terms
    * better dead than red * better half * better off * betterness * better part of * get better
    Related terms
    * best * better than nothing * better the devil you know

    Adverb

    (head)
  • * 1901 , ,
    • “I’ve had enough of cycling with you chaps. I can spend my Sundays better than in tormenting cats and quarrelling and fighting.”
  • More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.
    • ten miles and better
    Derived terms
    * had better * 'd better
    Related terms
    * best

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To improve.
  • * Wordsworth
    • Love betters what is best.
  • * Thackeray
    • He thought to better his circumstances.
  • * Macaulay
    • the constant effort of every man to better himself
  • To become better; to improve.
    • (Carlyle)
  • To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
  • * Hooker
    • The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered .
  • To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.
  • * Milton
    • Weapons more violent, when next we meet, / May serve to better us and worse our foes.
  • (slang) Had better.
    • You better do that if you know what's good for you.
    Derived terms
    * betterer * betterment
    Synonyms
    * See also

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior.
    • He quickly found Ali his better in the ring.
  • * Hooker
    • Their betters would hardly be found.

    Derived terms

    * get the better of

    Etymology 2

    Alternate pronunciation of (bettor) or modern formation from the verb to (bet).

    Noun

    (en noun)

    • Statistics

    * 1000 English basic words ----