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improve
[ im-proov ]
/ ÉŖmĖpruv /
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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 1425ā75; late Middle English improuen, emprouen from Anglo-French emprouer āto turn (something) into profit,ā derivative of phrase en prou āinto profit,ā equivalent to en (see en-1) + prou, Old French prou, preu from Late Latin prÅde (est), by reanalysis of Latin prÅdest ā(it) is beneficial, of use,ā with prÅde taken as a neuter noun (cf. proud); the sound v was made by association with prove, approve
OTHER WORDS FROM improve
Words nearby improve
Improperia, improper integral, impropriate, impropriety, improv, improve, improvement, improve on, improver, improvident, improvisation
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
/ (ÉŖmĖpruĖv) /
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 prÅde beneficial, from Latin prÅdesse to be advantageous, from pro- 1 + esse to be
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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