amelioration

American  

[uh-meel-yuh-rey-shuhn, uh-mee-lee-uh-] / əˌmil jəˈreɪ ʃən, əˈmi li ə- /

noun

1. an act or instance of ameliorating or making better; the state of being ameliorated or made better.

   the amelioration of working conditions.

2. something that ameliorates; an improvement.

3. melioration.

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amelioration British  

/ əˌmiːljəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of ameliorating or the state of being ameliorated

2. something that ameliorates; an improvement

3. Also called: elevation.  linguistics (of the meaning of a word) a change from pejorative to neutral or positively pleasant. The word nice has achieved its modern meaning by amelioration from the earlier sense foolish, silly

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Etymology

Origin of amelioration

First recorded in 1790–1800; ameliorate + -ion

Explanation

Amelioration is a process that makes something better. A philanthropist might devote her life to the amelioration of poverty and hunger. Any time there's amelioration, something negative is becoming more positive. If your landlord improves the water pressure and lowers the rent, that's amelioration. Often this word has to do with words themselves and how some change in meaning over the years, becoming more positive. A good example is terrific, which once meant "causing terror" and now means "wonderful" or "awesome." Through amelioration, terrific went from a negative meaning to a positive one.

Example Sentences

Amelioration was a way to at least partially make up for it.

From Salon • Oct. 2, 2025

Amelioration has been noted as with other remedies, but never a series of authenticated cures.

From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Anshutz, Edward Pollock

Now I propose to inquire how far this Social Equalization was accompanied by Social Amelioration.

From Collections and Recollections by Russell, George William Erskine

Did the Social Equalization of which we have spoken bring with it anything in the way of Social Amelioration?

From Collections and Recollections by Russell, George William Erskine

With very small means, and not much spare time at his disposal, he is nevertheless constantly engaged in what is called the work of Social Amelioration.

From The Quest of the Simple Life by Dawson, William J.