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

In addition to discussing Tesla’s FSD software, Musk is also reportedly looking to make agreements on sharing data that’s collected in the country, with the goal being to use that information to improve its self-driving software. —Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2024

Still, over the years the board produced several reports on ways the Police Department might improve its practices and procedures and build trust with the community. —Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 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

1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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