improve

[im-proov]

verb (used with object)

improved, improving 

1. to bring into a more desirable or excellent condition.

   He took vitamins to improve his health.

   Synonyms: emend, amend
   Antonyms: worsen

2. to make (land) more useful, profitable, or valuable by enclosure, cultivation, etc.

3. to increase the value of (real property) by betterments, as the construction of buildings and sewers.

4. to make good use of; turn to account.

   He improved the stopover by seeing a client with offices there.

verb (used without object)

improved, improving 

1. to increase in value, excellence, etc.; become better.

   The military situation is improving.

   Antonyms: worsen

2. 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.

improve

/ ɪmˈpruːv /

verb

1. to make or become better in quality; ameliorate

2. (tr) to make (buildings, land, etc) more valuable by additions or betterment

3. (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

1. informal,  improving

Other Word Forms

• improvably adverb
• improvingly adverb
• improver noun
• improvability noun
• improvable adjective
• improvableness noun
• preimprove verb (used with object)
• quasi-improved adjective
• superimproved adjective
• well-improved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of improve¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of improve¹

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

Example Sentences

Tuchel's comments about a "silent" Wembley have already sparked a debate about how the atmosphere for England matches at the national stadium can be improved.

Read more on BBC

Prodigies are accessing better coaching, and they’re able to sign endorsement deals, which adds a financial incentive to improve.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

They also want to introduce sustainable agricultural practices to help improve soil health.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“And they come back because the city is continuing to update and improve itself with the opening of new venues.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Giamatteo said that its secure communications unit, meanwhile, is showing some signs of stability, with improved renewal rates from customers offering better visibility into the future.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• advance 
• better 
• boost 
• correct 
• develop 
• enhance 
• help 
• increase 
• lift 
• progress 
• promote 
• raise 
• recover 
• reform 
• revamp 
• revise 
• rise 
• upgrade 

When To Use

What are other ways to say 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.