improve
to bring into a more desirable or excellent condition: He took vitamins to improve his health.
to make (land) more useful, profitable, or valuable by enclosure, cultivation, etc.
to increase the value of (real property) by betterments, as the construction of buildings and sewers.
to make good use of; turn to account: He improved the stopover by seeing a client with offices there.
to increase in value, excellence, etc.; become better: The military situation is improving.
to make improvements, as by revision, addition, or change: None of the younger violinists have been able to improve on his interpretation of that work.
Origin of improve
1Other words for improve
Opposites for improve
Other words from improve
- im·prov·a·ble, adjective
- im·prov·a·bil·i·ty, im·prov·a·ble·ness, noun
- im·prov·a·bly, adverb
- im·prov·ing·ly, adverb
- pre·im·prove, verb (used with object), pre·im·proved, pre·im·prov·ing.
- qua·si-im·proved, adjective
- su·per·im·proved, adjective
- well-im·proved, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use improve in a sentence
The Seahawks also played better than expected on defense to end a two-game losing skid and improve their record to 7-3.
Kyler Murray runs out of miracles as Seahawks hang on to take over first place in NFC West | Mark Maske | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostWith better health and consistency from Conley and the return of Bojan Bogdanovic, the Jazz should bring back a well-balanced and experienced starting lineup that should have a chance to improve on its first-round playoff exit.
NBA free agency tracker (plus trades): Warriors acquire Kelly Oubre; 76ers trade Al Horford to Thunder | Ben Golliver | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostMetro decided to pull back on those proposals after receiving more than 5,000 public comments and because its financial outlook has improved since September.
Metro board approves budget cuts, buyouts as pandemic dents agency’s budget | Justin George | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostAfter a few months, however, she told us she knows he needs to improve, but she doesn’t have any choice because no one else within the organization wants his job.
It’s hard to get rid of a bad boss. Instead, try a ‘soft coup.’ | Karla Miller | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostOffensively, both Brooks and Sheppard said he has improved his shot, a weakness most draft analysts pointed out heading into Wednesday.
Wizards opt for versatility with Israel’s Deni Avdija at No. 9 pick | Ava Wallace | November 19, 2020 | Washington Post
States were encouraged and allowed to lower standards to make it appear they were improving.
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future | Jonah Edelman | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTImproving an economy is a lot harder with only half the population working.
Being reminded that economic and social conditions are not improving at the pace one expected can be a powerful motivator.
The first potential scientific secret to improving your bedroom experience: surround yourself with men.
Was 2014 the Year Science Discovered The Female Orgasm? | Samantha Allen | December 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe helped set up an institute in Mexico aimed at improving wheat and corn production.
Piedmont alone vies with her, and is improving far more rapidly, but Lombardy has great natural capacities peculiarly her own.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyEvery dollar wisely spent in improving this power will add two to the value of their estates.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyThe copper mine mentioned in my last is improving very fast.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickI can't help feeling that the strain of improving myself so enormously would tell on me.
First Plays | A. A. MilneHayle Harbour was a branch of it, and he now suggested to Mr. Henry Harvey methods for deepening and improving it.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis Trevithick
British Dictionary definitions for improve
/ (ɪmˈpruːv) /
to make or become better in quality; ameliorate
(tr) to make (buildings, land, etc) more valuable by additions or betterment
(intr; usually foll by on or upon) to achieve a better standard or quality in comparison (with): to improve on last year's crop
on the improve Australian informal improving
Origin of improve
1Derived forms of improve
- improvable, adjective
- improvability or improvableness, noun
- improvably, adverb
- improver, noun
- improvingly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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