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improve

[ im-proov ]
/ ɪmˈpruv /
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See synonyms for: improve / improved / improves / improving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), imĀ·proved, imĀ·provĀ·ing.
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.
verb (used without object), imĀ·proved, imĀ·provĀ·ing.
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.
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Origin of improve

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English improuen, emprouen from Anglo-French emprouer ā€œto turn (something) into profit,ā€ derivative of phrase en prou ā€œinto profit,ā€ equivalent to en (see en-1) + prou, Old French prou, preu from Late Latin prōde (est), by reanalysis of Latin prōdest ā€œ(it) is beneficial, of use,ā€ with prōde taken as a neuter noun (cf. proud); the sound v was made by association with prove, approve

OTHER WORDS FROM improve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to sayĀ improve?

To improve something is to bring it into a more desirable or excellent condition. How is improve different from the verbs ameliorate and better? Find out on Thesaurus.com.Ā 

How to use improve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for improve

improve
/ (ɪmˈpruːv) /

verb
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
noun
on the improve Australian informal improving

Derived forms of improve

Word Origin for improve

C16: from Anglo-French emprouer to turn to profit, from en prou into profit, from prou profit, from Late Latin prōde beneficial, from Latin prōdesse to be advantageous, from pro- 1 + esse to be
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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