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Showing results for improvement. Search instead for gradual improvements.
Synonyms

improvement

American  
[im-proov-muhnt] / ɪmˈpruv mənt /

noun

  1. an act of improving or the state of being improved.

  2. a change or addition by which a thing is improved.

  3. 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
  4. a bringing into a more valuable or desirable condition, as of land or real property; betterment.

    Synonyms:
    repair, enhancement
  5. something done or added to real property that increases its value.

  6. profitable use, as of a period of time.


improvement British  
/ ɪmˈpruːvmənt /

noun

  1. the act of improving or the state of being improved

  2. something that improves, esp an addition or alteration

  3. alteration of the structure, fixtures, fittings, or decor of a building without changing its function Compare conversion

  4. (usually plural) a building or other works on a piece of land, adding to its value

"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

Other Word Forms

  • nonimprovement noun
  • preimprovement noun

Etymology

Origin of improvement

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English improuement, from Anglo-French emprouement “something profitable (especially exploitation of land)”; improve, -ment

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.

Underlying volumes in air grew strongly, while gross profit yields firmed up in sea logistics showed a solid quarter-on-quarter improvement in air logistics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some areas are turning the corner, but some analysts fear the government's assumptions about improvements may be ambitious.

From BBC

Chinese demand for oil from transparent markets will increase, but China is only likely to replace some of the barrels from Iran rather than generate new demand from an improvement in its economic outlook.

From MarketWatch

Rapid improvements are making Beijing’s underwater navy quieter and faster, capable of carrying more advanced weapons and better sensors and able to remain submerged for longer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most participants demonstrated clear improvement in their ability to identify letters on an eye chart.

From Science Daily