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

Researchers reporting in Advanced Healthcare Materials have found that stevioside, a natural sweetener extracted from the Stevia plant, can help improve how well the drug is absorbed through the skin.

Read more on Science Daily

Lai's government has been under US pressure to improve its ability to defend itself against a potential attack by China, which claims the island is part of its territory.

Read more on Barron's

One goal is to improve citizens' health by helping them get more sleep.

Read more on Barron's

Being outdoors can trigger measurable changes inside your body from lowering stress hormones, easing blood pressure and even improving your gut health.

Read more on BBC

Meta says there are some signs of its AI systems improving themselves.

Read more on BBC

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.