Main Entry: im·prove

Pronunciation: \im-ˈprüv\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): im·proved; im·prov·ing

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

Date: circa 1529

transitive verb 1 archaic : employ, use
2 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
3 : to use to good purposeintransitive verb 1 : to advance or make progress in what is desirable
2 : to make useful additions or amendments

— im·prov·abil·i·ty \(ˌ)im-ˌprü-və-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— im·prov·able \-ˈprü-və-bəl\ adjective

— im·prov·er noun

synonyms 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>.