καλλίον
kallíon
G2566 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
comparative adverb: 'better, more excellently,' indicating an improvement in quality, character, or circumstance compared to another; also used to mean 'preferably' or 'more appropriately' in appropriate contexts. Functions as the comparative form of καλῶς (well, nobly) and occasionally as a neuter comparative adjective ('that which is better'). In Koine and Hellenistic Greek, commonly employed adverbially to express that one option, action, or state is preferable or superior to another.
Semantic Range
better (comparative of good/beautiful), more excellently, preferably, more appropriately, more advantageously, very well (rare)
Root / Etymology
From καλός (good, beautiful, noble) + -ιον (comparative suffix); καλλίον is the neuter nominative/accusative singular comparative degree, often used adverbially. The morphological form is irregular relative to the regular comparative of καλός, which is more typically καλλίων (masculine/feminine).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Koine Greek, καλλίον is less common than the masculine/feminine form καλλίων but frequently occurs in adverbial usage, where strict case and gender distinctions relax (especially in later Greek). While Strong’s gloss reflects an adverbial sense ('very well'), the primary comparative nuance 'better' predominates. The term appears with a range of verbs, expressing preference or superiority. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it may appear in ethical, practical, or rhetorical contexts. English translations sometimes render καλλίον as 'better,' 'more excellently,' or 'preferably,' but this may miss subtle gradations of preference or quality expressed in Greek. Related terms include ἀμείνων (better, brave, used more commonly for capacity or virtue) and βελτίων (better, often used of strength or advantage), which can overlap but differ in nuance depending on the context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of the (irregular) comparative of καλός; (adverbially) better than many:--very well.
Root Family
καλλίον (kallion) — to be good, to be beautiful, to surpass, to be preferable
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2566-01 |
κάλλιον | kallion | ADV COMP |
very well | better | better | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2566-01 |
Acts 25:10 | κάλλιον | kallion | ADV COMP |
very well | better | better |