Meanings
nounbetterness (countable and uncountable, plural betternesses)
plural betternesses
- uncountableThe state or quality of being better; superiority.
And how in the first place do you want to live in a better country when you yourself aren’t trying to be that betterness, when you’re willingly surrendering your right to shape that country?
2022, NoViolet Bulawayo, Glory, Chatto & Windus, page 198 - countableuncountablemintingThe amount by which a precious metal exceeds the standard of fineness.
Synonyms & antonyms
Opposite
Also see
Origin
- Middle Englishbetternes
- Englishbetterness
From Middle English betternes. Equivalent to better + -ness.
More words from Middle English
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
betterness. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/betterness
MLA
“betterness.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/betterness. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “betterness,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/betterness.
Source: betterness on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.