Bigger vs. Better — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 18, 2024
Bigger refers to size, indicating something larger in dimensions or quantity, while better refers to quality, indicating something of higher standard or more desirable.
Difference Between Bigger and Better
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bigger pertains to physical dimensions or quantity. When something is described as bigger, it means it occupies more space or includes more items. Better, on the other hand, refers to the quality or performance of something. Describing something as better indicates it is of superior standard or more efficient.
When comparing products, bigger might refer to larger size or capacity, such as a bigger television having a larger screen. Better in this context would imply enhanced features or picture quality, making the viewing experience superior.
In discussions about value, bigger can imply more of something, like a bigger portion of food. Better would indicate a more delicious or healthier option, improving the overall satisfaction.
In competitive scenarios, a bigger team may have more members, while a better team has more skilled or coordinated members. The distinction highlights the difference between quantity and quality.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Larger in size or quantity
Higher in quality or standard
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Measurement
Dimensions or volume
Performance or desirability
Example Context
Bigger house, bigger portion
Better phone, better solution
Implication
More space or more items
Superior features or effectiveness
Competitive Edge
More members or capacity
More skilled or higher quality
Compare with Definitions
Bigger
Having more importance.
The bigger issue is how we address climate change.
Better
Higher in quality.
This model is better because it lasts longer.
Bigger
Larger in size.
The bigger car can accommodate more passengers.
Better
More effective.
She found a better solution to the problem.
Bigger
Of greater quantity.
She bought a bigger bag of apples.
Better
More desirable.
A better job opportunity came along.
Bigger
Comparatively larger than another.
His house is bigger than mine.
Better
Superior in skill or performance.
He is a better player than his teammates.
Bigger
Of considerable size, number, quantity, magnitude, or extent; large.
Better
More desirable, satisfactory, or effective
The new facilities were far better
I'm better at doing sums than Alice
We're hoping for better weather tomorrow
Bigger
Having great strength or force
A big wind.
In a big rage.
Better
Partly or fully recovered from illness, injury, or mental stress
His leg was getting better
Bigger
Of great significance; momentous
A big decision.
A big victory.
Better
More excellently or effectively
Instruments are generally better made these days
Jonathon could do better if he tried
Sound travels better in water than in air
Bigger
Mature or grown-up
Big enough to take the bus by herself.
Better
The better one; that which is better
You've a right to expect better than that
The Natural History Museum book is by far the better of the two
A change for the better
Bigger
Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling
My big brother is leaving for college next week.
Better
One's superiors in social class or ability
Educating the young to respect their elders and betters
Bigger
Filled up; brimming over
Felt big with love.
Better
Variant spelling of bettor
Bigger
Bountiful; generous
Had a big heart.
Better
Improve on or surpass (an existing or previous level or achievement)
Bettering his previous time by ten minutes
His account can hardly be bettered
Bigger
Pregnant
Big with child.
Better
Greater in excellence or higher in quality
Which of the twins is the better skater?.
Bigger
Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence
A big official.
A big chief.
Better
More useful, suitable, or desirable
Found a better way to go.
A suit with a better fit than that one.
Bigger
Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent
A big figure in the peace movement.
Better
More highly skilled or adept
I am better at math than English.
Bigger
Loud and firm; resounding
A big voice.
Better
Greater or larger
Argued for the better part of an hour.
Bigger
(Informal) Widely liked, used, or practiced; popular
"The Minneapolis indie-rock band was big in the blogosphere, beloved by hipsters, and unknown to pretty much everyone else" (Robert Levine).
Better
More advantageous or favorable; improved
A better chance of success.
Bigger
(Informal) Self-important; cocky
You're too big for your own good.
Better
Healthier, more fit, or in less discomfort than before
The patient is better today.
Bigger
In a pretentious or boastful way
Talked big about the new job.
Better
In a satisfactory condition; right or proper
All is well.
Bigger
With considerable success
Made it big with their recent best-selling album.
Better
Not ailing, infirm, or diseased; healthy.
Bigger
In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically
Failed big at the box office.
Better
Cured or healed, as a wound.
Bigger
To make or become bigger.
Better
Of or characterized by the maintenance of good health practices. Often used in combination
A well-baby clinic.
A well-child visit to the doctor.
Bigger
Large or big relative to something else
Better
Advisable; prudent
It would be well not to ask.
Bigger
More extensive in scope.
The bigger project will take longer to complete.
Better
Fortunate; good
It is well that you stayed.
Better
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
Better
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
Better
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
Better
Not spoiled or ruined
The milk is still good.
Better
In excellent condition; sound
A good tooth.
Better
Superior to the average; satisfactory
A good student.
Better
Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
Better
Of high quality
Good books.
Better
Discriminating
Good taste.
Better
Of moral excellence; upright
A good person.
Better
Benevolent; kind
A good soul.
A good heart.
Better
Loyal; staunch
A good Republican.
Better
Well-behaved; obedient
A good child.
Better
Socially correct; proper
Good manners.
Better
Worthy of respect; honorable
Ruined the family's good name.
Better
Attractive; handsome
Good looks.
Better
Beneficial to health; salutary
A good night's rest.
Better
Competent; skilled
A good machinist.
Better
Complete; thorough
A good workout.
Better
Reliable; sure
A good investment.
Better
Valid or true
A good reason.
Better
Genuine; real
A good dollar bill.
Better
In effect; operative
A warranty good for two years.
A driver's license that is still good.
Better
Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity
I'm good for another round of golf.
Better
Able to pay or contribute
Is she good for the money that you lent her?.
Better
Able to elicit a specified reaction
He is always good for a laugh.
Better
Ample; substantial
A good income.
Better
Bountiful
A good table.
Better
Full
It is a good mile from here.
Better
Pleasant; enjoyable
Had a good time at the party.
Better
Propitious; favorable
Good weather.
A good omen.
Better
Landing within bounds or within a particular area of a court and therefore in play
The first serve was wide, but the second was good.
Better
Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.
Better
Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay
Good heavens! Good grief!.
Better
In a more excellent way
He sings better than his father.
Better
To a greater extent or degree
Better suited to the job.
Likes it better without sauce.
Better
To greater advantage; preferably
A deed better left undone. See Usage Notes at best, have, rather.
Better
More
It took me better than a year to recover.
Better
In a good or proper manner
Behaved well.
Better
Skillfully or proficiently
Dances well.
Better
Satisfactorily or sufficiently
Slept well.
Better
Successfully or effectively
Gets along well with people.
Better
In a comfortable or affluent manner
Lived well.
Better
In a manner affording benefit or gain; advantageously
Married well.
Better
With reason or propriety; reasonably
Can't very well say no.
Better
In all likelihood; indeed
You may well need your umbrella.
Better
In a prudent or sensible manner
You would do well to say nothing more.
Better
In a close or familiar manner
Knew them well.
Better
In a favorable or approving manner
Spoke well of them.
Better
Thoroughly; completely
Well cooked.
Cooked well.
Better
Perfectly; clearly
I well understand your intentions.
Better
To a suitable or appropriate degree
This product will answer your needs equally well.
Better
To a considerable extent or degree
Well over the estimate.
Better
With care or attention
Listened well.
Better
Entirely; fully
Well worth seeing.
Better
Well.
Better
One that is greater in excellence or higher in quality.
Better
Often betters A superior, as in standing, competence, or intelligence
To learn from one's betters.
Better
Variant of bettor.
Better
One that bets or places a bet.
Better
Something that is good.
Better
A good, valuable, or useful part or aspect.
Better
Welfare; benefit
For the common good.
Better
Goodness; virtue
There is much good to be found in people.
Better
A product that is bought and sold
Frozen goods.
Better
Goods Portable personal property.
Better
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Fabric; material.
Better
Goods(Slang) Incriminating information or evidence
Tried to get the goods on the crook.
Better
To make better; improve
Trying to better conditions in the prison.
Bettered myself by changing jobs.
Better
To surpass or exceed
Practiced so he could better his rival.
Better
To become better
Conditions bettered with time.
Better
Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation.
Better
Used to express surprise.
Better
Comparative of good
Better
Comparative of well
Better
Greater in amount or quantity
Better
Comparative of well
The engine runs better now that I've given it some oil.
Better
Greater or lesser (whichever is seen as more advantageous), in reference to value, distance, time, etc.
The top electric vehicles have a range of 300 kilometres or better. (better = greater)
Only one swimmer finished the race with a time better than two minutes. (better = lesser)
Better
Had better.
You better do that if you know what's good for you.
Better
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.
Better
Alternative spelling of bettor
Better
Had better.
It's getting late. You better get on home.
Better
(transitive) To improve.
Better
(intransitive) To become better; to improve.
This government will better this society
Better
(transitive) To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
Better
(transitive) To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.
Better
Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; as, a better man; a better physician; a better house; a better air.
Could make the worse appearThe better reason.
Better
Preferable in regard to rank, value, use, fitness, acceptableness, safety, or in any other respect.
To obey is better than sacrifice.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
Better
Greater in amount; larger; more.
Better
Improved in health; less affected with disease; as, the patient is better.
Better
More advanced; more perfect; as, upon better acquaintance; a better knowledge of the subject.
My dear, my better half (said he),I find I must now leave thee.
By all that's holy, he had better starveThan but once think this place becomes thee not.
Better
Advantage, superiority, or victory; - usually with of; as, to get the better of an enemy.
Better
One who has a claim to precedence; a superior, as in merit, social standing, etc.; - usually in the plural.
Their betters would hardly be found.
Better
One who bets or lays a wager.
Better
In a superior or more excellent manner; with more skill and wisdom, courage, virtue, advantage, or success; as, Henry writes better than John; veterans fight better than recruits.
I could have better spared a better man.
Better
More correctly or thoroughly.
The better to understand the extent of our knowledge.
Better
In a higher or greater degree; more; as, to love one better than another.
Never was monarch better feared, and loved.
Better
More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.; as, ten miles and better.
Better
To improve or ameliorate; to increase the good qualities of.
Love betters what is best.
He thought to better his circumstances.
Better
To improve the condition of, morally, physically, financially, socially, or otherwise.
The constant effort of every man to better himself.
Better
To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered.
Better
To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.
Weapons more violent, when next we meet,May serve to better us and worse our foes.
Better
To become better; to improve.
Better
One having claim to precedence; a superior;
The common man has been kept in his place by his betters
Better
Someone who bets
Better
The superior one of two alternatives;
Chose the better of the two
Better
Surpass in excellence;
She bettered her own record
Break a record
Better
To make better;
The editor improved the manuscript with his changes
Better
Get better;
The weather improved toward evening
Better
(comparative of `good') superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another;
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din
A better coat
A better type of car
A suit with a better fit
A better chance of success
Produced a better mousetrap
She's better in math than in history
Better
(comparative of `good') changed for the better in health or fitness;
Her health is better now
I feel better
Better
(comparative and superlative of `well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable;
It would be better to speak to him
The White House thought it best not to respond
Better
More than half;
Argued for the better part of an hour
Better
Comparative of `well'; in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc.;
She had never sung better
A deed better left undone
Better suited to the job
Better
From a position of superiority or authority;
Father knows best
I know better.
Better
Healthier or improved condition.
After the treatment, he felt better.
Common Curiosities
What does 'bigger' mean?
Bigger means larger in size or quantity.
Can something be better but not bigger?
Yes, something can be of superior quality without being larger.
What does 'better' mean?
Better means higher in quality or more desirable.
Can something be bigger but not better?
Yes, something can be larger in size without being of higher quality.
Can 'better' refer to health?
Yes, 'better' can describe an improved health condition.
How does 'bigger' apply to physical objects?
Bigger objects occupy more space or have larger dimensions.
How does 'better' apply to performance?
Better performance means more efficiency or higher effectiveness.
How does 'bigger' relate to quantity?
Bigger refers to a greater amount or number of items.
Is a better product always bigger?
No, a better product can be more efficient or higher quality without being larger.
What is an example of a better but not bigger item?
A better but not bigger phone might have superior features but the same size as an older model.
Is a bigger house always better?
Not necessarily; a bigger house may have more space, but it might not have better features or quality.
How does 'better' relate to quality?
Better refers to a higher standard or improved condition.
How do 'bigger' and 'better' apply in competitive contexts?
Bigger might mean more members or capacity, while better means more skilled or higher quality.
Can 'bigger' refer to importance?
Yes, 'bigger' can imply something of more significance.
What is an example of a bigger but not better item?
A bigger but not better TV might have a larger screen but poorer picture quality.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
