improve

[ im-proov ]

verb (used with object)

, im·proved, im·prov·ing.

1. to bring into a more desirable or excellent condition:

   He took vitamins to improve his health.

   Synonyms: emend, amend

   Antonyms: worsen

2. to make (land) more useful, profitable, or valuable by enclosure, cultivation, etc.
3. to increase the value of (real property) by betterments, as the construction of buildings and sewers.
4. to make good use of; turn to account:

   He improved the stopover by seeing a client with offices there.

verb (used without object)

, im·proved, im·prov·ing.

1. to increase in value, excellence, etc.; become better:

   The military situation is improving.

   Antonyms: worsen

2. to make improvements, as by revision, addition, or change:

   None of the younger violinists have been able to improve on his interpretation of that work.

improve

/ ɪmˈpruːv /

verb

1. to make or become better in quality; ameliorate
2. tr to make (buildings, land, etc) more valuable by additions or betterment
3. intr; usually foll by on or upon to achieve a better standard or quality in comparison (with)

   to improve on last year's crop

noun

1. on the improve informal.
   improving

Derived Forms

• imˈprovably, adverb
• imˈprovingly, adverb
• imˈprover, noun
• imˌprovaˈbility, noun
• imˈprovable, adjective

Other Words From

• im·prova·ble adjective
• im·prova·bili·ty im·prova·ble·ness noun
• im·prova·bly adverb
• im·proving·ly adverb
• preim·prove verb (used with object) preimproved preimproving
• quasi-im·proved adjective
• super·im·proved adjective
• well-im·proved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of improve¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English improuen, emprouen from Anglo-French emprouer “to turn (something) into profit,” derivative of phrase en prou “into profit,” equivalent to en ( en- ¹ ) + prou, Old French prou, preu from Late Latin prōde (est), by reanalysis of Latin prōdest “(it) is beneficial, of use,” with prōde taken as a neuter noun ( proud ); the sound v was made by association with prove, approve

Word History and Origins

Origin of improve¹

C16: from Anglo-French emprouer to turn to profit, from en prou into profit, from prou profit, from Late Latin prōde beneficial, from Latin prōdesse to be advantageous, from pro- ¹+ esse to be

Example Sentences

It could dramatically improve quality of life in communities throughout the developing world.

From The Daily Beast

Faal told the FBI that his group was trying “restore democracy to The Gambia and improve the lives of its people.”

From The Daily Beast

The health, happiness and well-being of men, children and women improve.

From The Daily Beast

An expert in education talks about race relations, the political environment and what can be done to improve things.

From The Daily Beast

Our relationship did not improve as I entered college and developed a raging eating disorder.

From The Daily Beast

Five hundred of our fighting men are running to and fro between cliffs and sea carrying stones wherewith to improve our pier.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet their quaint attempts to improve their appearance throw an interesting side-light on their æsthetic preferences.

From Project Gutenberg

That community which does not improve in the region where the means of healthful increase are afforded, is in an unhealthy state.

From Project Gutenberg

No other legislation is going to improve financial conditions here to any extent.

From Project Gutenberg

As time passed, this fund expanded considerably and was used to improve elementary education.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advance
• better
• boost
• correct
• develop
• enhance
• help
• increase
• lift
• progress
• promote
• raise
• recover
• reform
• revamp
• revise
• rise
• upgrade