improve

play

verb im·prove \ im-ˈprüv \

Definition of improve

improved; improving

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 purpose

intransitive verb

1 :to advance or make progress in what is desirable

2 :to make useful additions or amendments

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improvability

play \(ˌ)im-ˌprü-və-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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improvable

play \(ˌ)im-ˈprü-və-bəl\ adjective

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improver

noun

See improve defined for English-language learners

See improve defined for kids

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 of improve from the Web

Since Katrina, government agencies and animal welfare groups have improved coordination efforts to better organize disaster response.

— meredith colias, Post-Tribune, "Northwest Indiana rescue shelters to send volunteers, supplies for pets affected by Harvey," 30 Aug. 2017
Flynn has long characterized the reduction as evidence that the department’s relationship with residents is improving.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
Here's hoping the runway only continues to improve and diversify moving forward.

— halie lesavage, Glamour, "Fall 2017 Fashion Ads Are More Diverse Than the Runways," 30 Aug. 2017
The bill also included tribal and state clean water and pollution mitigation grants ($600 million), funds to improve weather forecasting ($25 million), and upgrades to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aircraft ($44.5 million).

— glenn kessler, courant.com, "Fact Checker: Ted Cruz’s claim that two-thirds of the Hurricane Sandy bill ‘had nothing to do with Sandy’," 29 Aug. 2017
Her research shows that walking through the pain in short sessions with rest breaks eventually improves the distances people can walk pain-free.

— carla k. johnson, The Seattle Times, "Medicare to foot the bill for treadmill therapy for leg pain," 28 Aug. 2017
Nevertheless, Tseng continues to improve with a 12-4 record and 2.57 ERA in 22 starts at Tennessee and Iowa.

— mark gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs prospect Justin Hancock lights up radar guns at Triple-A Iowa," 28 Aug. 2017
Overall, the study concluded that intradermal low molecular weight hyaluronic acid fillers do in fact have the potential to reduce pore size — and that's in addition to improving the skin's overall texture and radiance.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "New Study Says Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Can Lead to Smaller Pores," 28 Aug. 2017
Your guide to the Chiefs, K-State, Mizzou, KU and prep seasons What KU’s David Beaty is expecting from his team — and himself — in Year 3 Can KU football keep improving in Beaty’s third year?

— jesse newell, kansascity, "How foresight, ‘luck’ led KU coaches to Big 12 preseason defensive player of year," 26 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'improve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of improve

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1509

See Words from the same year

improve Synonyms

Synonyms

ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, meliorate, perfect, refine, upgrade

Antonyms

worsen

Related Words

correct, emend, rectify, reform, remediate, remedy; edit, fine-tune, redraft, refurbish, rehab, rehabilitate, revamp, revise, rework; beef (up), boost, fortify, intensify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; fine, hone, polish; retouch, touch up

Near Antonyms

damage, endamage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, spoil, tarnish, vitiate; blemish, blight, deface, disfigure, flaw, mar; diminish, lessen, lower, reduce

Synonym Discussion of 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.