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

Student and teacher input continues to shape the course and Weatherford said there is always room for improvement, such as adding additional novels that represent the Asian Pacific Islander and Native American experience, and more professional learning for teachers. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026

Those numbers are a considerable improvement compared to Saturday, when all passenger flights were cancelled into and out of Clinton National. —Anne Li, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026

Financial improvements will include standardized job descriptions, compensation, retirement and recruitment. —Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Sacking Frank won’t solve Spurs’ long-term issues of poor recruitment and mismanagement at high levels in the club, just like sacking Ruben Amorim hasn’t fixed the inherent problems at Old Trafford, despite their recent improvement. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 Jan. 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