improve

verb

im·​prove im-ˈprüv 

improved; improving

transitive verb

1

a

: to enhance in value or quality : make better

b

: to increase the value of (land or property) by making it more useful for humans (as by cultivation or the erection of buildings)

c

: to grade and drain (a road) and apply surfacing material other than pavement

2

: to use to good purpose

3

archaic : employ, use

intransitive verb

1

: to advance or make progress in what is desirable

2

: to make useful additions or amendments

improvability

(ˌ)im-ˌprü-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

improvable

(ˌ)im-ˈprü-və-bəl 

adjective

improver noun

Synonyms

• ameliorate
• amend
• better
• enhance
• enrich
• help
• meliorate
• perfect
• refine
• upgrade

Choose the Right Synonym for improve

improve, better, help, ameliorate mean to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard.

improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care

immigrants hoping to better their lot

help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

Examples of improve in a Sentence

This operation will greatly improve her chances of survival.

The advertising campaign has improved sales.

Maybe we'll buy a house when our financial situation improves.

Her writing has improved since the beginning of the school year.

The company has been having steadily improving sales.

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, removing arbitrary barriers to entry only improves an art form. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Mulvey-Woolridge, who won approximately 51.1% of the vote, hopes to invest in law enforcement, improve roads and basic services and use tax dollars efficiently. —Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024

Consider Your Health Goals Probiotics can support many health goals, from improving gut health to managing conditions like anxiety, eczema, and high cholesterol. —Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2024

Because of improving technology and cheaper prices of components and manufacturing, prices for 98-inch TVs have fallen 53% compared to a year ago, a Circana spokesperson told CNN. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English improuen, emprouen, from Anglo-French emprouer to make profit from, from French en- + pru, prou advantage, from Late Latin prode — more at proud

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Phrases Containing improve

• improve on/upon

Kids Definition

improve

verb

im·​prove im-ˈprüv 

improved; improving

1

: to make or become better

genetics helps us improve plants

when economic conditions improve

2

: to increase the value of (land or property) by making improvements

3

: to make good use of

improved their time by studying German

4

: to make useful additions or changes

improvable

-ˈprü-və-bəl 

adjective

improver noun