By definition of Cambridge Dictionaries Online
The word 'better' means
comparative of good: of a higher quality or more enjoyable than someone or something else
By most dictionaries, better off means better economically.
For example:
"The better–off people live in the older section of town."
By some dictionaries, better off can also mean the same as just the word better
For example:
"Steve’s an idiot – you’d be better off without him."
In this example above, better off is used just like better. Am I right?
So what's the difference between "better" and "better off"?
In what contexts would using "better off" be better(or better off) than just using "better"?
Best Answer
"Better off" means having better circumstances. Possessing wealth is the most obvious way to have better circumstances.
If better people live in the older section of town, we're talking about the people themselves being better, not their circumstances. Perhaps they're more moral, perhaps they're more intelligent, but something about the people themselves is better. If better-off people live in that section, we're talking about the people's circumstances. Probably they're wealthier. Perhaps they come from more prestigious families. Still, there's a difference between the people themselves and their circumstances.
If you're better off without him, it means that your circumstances improve without him. In this case we're probably not talking about your wealth, but we could be talking about how comfortable your surroundings are or the emotional resources you can retain when you don't need to support the relationship. If you're better without him, then we're talking about an improvement in you. Perhaps you're happier, or you're healthier, or you're better able to think straight.
When we're talking about a better person, we're comparing the person directly. When we're talking about a better-off person, we're comparing the person's circumstances, especially the person's possessions. That's the distinction that remains consistent.