improvement
Americannoun
-
improvements
plural
-
a change or addition by which a thing is improved.
-
a person or thing that represents an advance on another in excellence or achievement.
The new landlord is a great improvement over his greedy predecessor.
- Synonyms:
- advancement, betterment, refinement
-
a bringing into a more valuable or desirable condition, as of land or real property; betterment.
- Synonyms:
- repair, enhancement
-
something done or added to real property that increases its value.
-
profitable use, as of a period of time.
noun
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the act of improving or the state of being improved
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something that improves, esp an addition or alteration
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alteration of the structure, fixtures, fittings, or decor of a building without changing its function Compare conversion
-
(usually plural) a building or other works on a piece of land, adding to its value
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of improvement
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English improuement, from Anglo-French emprouement “something profitable (especially exploitation of land)”; see improve, -ment
Explanation
When there's improvement, something is getting better. Going from a C to an A in math is an improvement. If you want to improve something, you've got to make improvements. Lots of people strive for personal improvement: maybe it's losing a few pounds for an improvement in their appearance, or reading more for an improvement in intelligence. Businesses look for improvement in customer service or profitability. Any change for the better or step in the right direction is an improvement.
Vocabulary lists containing improvement
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 6
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 13
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-ment
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“The third quarter is off to a strong start, and we are seeing improvement at our Marmaxx division to start the quarter,” Herrman said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Still, Fiddelke said during the call that clothing and home goods are the categories most in need of improvement.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
"When I look at the improvement in my quality of life compared with what I see as a very minimal impact on my health, it's such a clear trade-off," he says.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
“You’re retraining the neuromuscular system,” Burbank says, adding that it could take three to six months to notice concrete improvement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
“I think you’re an improvement on my imagination,” I said, flipping back through the pages.
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
Nall said while she is hesitant to use the word “optimistic,” she has been seeing improvements in AI’s answers since they’ve been doubling down on their efforts to influence LLMs.
From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026
"You can see the improvements every year," said Soumodip Sarkar, the executive president of a science park in Portugal who was visiting the expo on a tour of factories in China.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
If the local council has funding available, a home survey will be arranged, and improvements such as air-source heat pumps, insulation and solar panels could be installed.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
But we have fewer customer contacts per booking because of improvements in the way we’re doing business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Even with recent improvements, infant mortality rates continue to be an embarrassment for a nation that spends more on health care than any other country in the world.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
