mieux

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/mjø/

adverb

better (comparative of 'bien')

preferably / it's better (in impersonal constructions, e.g. 'mieux vaut')

Je me sens beaucoup mieux depuis ce matin.

I feel much better since this morning.

Synonyms:davantage, plus, meilleur

nounmasculine

an improvement (often slight)

On constate un petit mieux dans la situation cette semaine.

There's a small improvement in the situation this week.

Synonyms:amélioration, progrès

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Mieux is an adverb meaning "better." It is the comparative form of "bien" (well).

USAGE

Mieux modifies verbs or other adverbs.

Examples: "Je vais mieux." (I am feeling better.) "Tu chantes mieux qu'avant." (You sing better than before.) "Fais de ton mieux." (Do your best.)

TRAPS

Do not confuse mieux (adverb) with "meilleur" (adjective). Mieux modifies verbs or adverbs, while "meilleur" modifies nouns and agrees in gender/number.

For the superlative adverb "the best" is not "le mieux" but "le meilleur".

Trap: "J'ai un *mieux* livre" (incorrect). Correct: "J'ai un *meilleur* livre."