improvement

noun

im·​prove·​ment im-ˈprüv-mənt 

1

: the act or process of improving

improvement in the patient's condition

2

a

: the state of being improved

especially : enhanced value or excellence

I've noticed improvement in your work.

b

: an instance of such improvement : something that enhances value or excellence

The editor made some improvements to the article.

Synonyms of improvement

• advance
• advancement
• enhancement
• breakthrough
• development

Examples of improvement in a Sentence

Doctors were amazed by the sudden improvement in her medical condition.

I've noticed a significant improvement in your work since the spring.

The editor made some improvements to the article before it was printed.

They spent the money on new kitchen cabinets and other home improvements.

Recent Examples on the Web

The other $50 million will go to the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, with $30 million for new director John Kirwan’s priorities and $20 million for capital improvements and research infrastructure. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

Dario Amodei, co-founder and chief executive officer of Anthropic, later published an essay urging companies to slow down with their improvement of AI models. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Keto Diet Beats Out the Others All participants saw metabolic improvements and lost weight, but the keto group appeared to lose weight the fastest. — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, HEALTH, 28 Sep. 2026

The Islanders have missed the playoffs the past two seasons, but last season marked an eight-win improvement after the team drafted defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing improvement

• home-improvement
• self-improvement

Rhymes for improvement

• movement

Kids Definition

improvement

noun

im·​prove·​ment im-ˈprüv-mənt 

1

: the act or process of improving

2

a

: increased value or excellence

b

: something that adds to the value or appearance (as of a house)

Legal Definition

improvement

noun

im·​prove·​ment

: a usually permanent addition to or modification of real property that enhances its capital value and is distinguished from an ordinary repair in being designed to make the property more useful or valuable