improve

1 of 2

verb

im·​prove im-ˈprüv 

improved; improving

transitive verb

1

a

: to enhance in value or quality : make better

improved sales

a treatment to improve the patient's chances of survival

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

their test scores improved

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

see also:

improve on

improvability

2 of 2

noun

im·​prov·​abil·​i·​ty (ˌ)imˌprüvəˈbilətē 

əm-, 

-lətē, 

-i

: the quality or state of being improvable : capability of improving or of being improved

Synonyms of improve

Verb

• enhance
• help

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

Verb

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

Verb

By supporting operations in locations where traditional port facilities may be unavailable, the SSC can help improve the flexibility of military logistics and deployment. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Another, focused on fueling area infrastructure and improving public parks with $16 million, would apply only to Kansas City, Kansas. — Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

With the win, North Carolina improved to 3-2 and moved within one victory of matching its win total from last season, when the Tar Heels finished 4-8. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Sanabria describes himself as an independent, free thinker who wants to help improve the City Beautiful and stay true to its character. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

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

Phrases Containing improve

• improve on
• improve upon

Rhymes for improve

• approve
• disprove
• remove
• reprove
• disapprove
• groove
• move
• prove

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