better-off

[ bet-er-awf, -of ]

/ ˈbɛt ərˈɔf, -ˈɒf /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR better-off ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

being in better circumstances, especially economically: Only the better-off nations can afford to send probes into space.

Origin of better-off

First recorded in 1860–65

Words nearby better-off

Better Business Bureau, better half, Better late than never, betterment, betterment tax, better-off, better part of, Better safe than sorry, better than, Betterton, Betti

Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for better-off

They can say that they're not giving up on their goal of making the better-off pay their fair share in taxes.
Barack Obama and the Democrats Need to Take a Stand for Jobs|Michael Tomasky|June 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Luke knew that it contained gifts—the hateful, merciful, nauseating charity of the better-off.
The Best Short Stories of 1917|Various
Wherever the better-off classes caught fever, it was not relapsing but typhus, and a very fatal typhus.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
Luke knew that 137 it contained giftsthe hateful, merciful, nauseating charity of the better-off.
Short Stories of the New America|Various

I found on lately revisiting Anjou, and in the Berri, that the better-off peasants are building houses with upper bedrooms.
The Roof of France|Matilda Betham-Edwards
And how the better-off among them pity their weaker brethren!
Ghetto Tragedies|Israel Zangwill

Idioms and Phrases with better-off

better off

In a more favorable position or financial circumstances. For example, They were better off flying than driving there, or They were better off than most of their neighbors. This phrase is the comparative form of well off. [Mid-1800s]