improvement
Americannoun
-
improvements
plural
-
a change or addition by which a thing is improved.
-
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
-
a bringing into a more valuable or desirable condition, as of land or real property; betterment.
- Synonyms:
- repair, enhancement
-
something done or added to real property that increases its value.
-
profitable use, as of a period of time.
noun
-
the act of improving or the state of being improved
-
something that improves, esp an addition or alteration
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alteration of the structure, fixtures, fittings, or decor of a building without changing its function Compare conversion
-
(usually plural) a building or other works on a piece of land, adding to its value
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of improvement
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English improuement, from Anglo-French emprouement “something profitable (especially exploitation of land)”; see improve, -ment
Explanation
When there's improvement, something is getting better. Going from a C to an A in math is an improvement. If you want to improve something, you've got to make improvements. Lots of people strive for personal improvement: maybe it's losing a few pounds for an improvement in their appearance, or reading more for an improvement in intelligence. Businesses look for improvement in customer service or profitability. Any change for the better or step in the right direction is an improvement.
Vocabulary lists containing improvement
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 6
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 13
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-ment
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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.
See Examples For:
Mark Iwry, a former senior Treasury official who led national retirement policy in the Clinton and Obama administrations, said auto-enrollment marks a major improvement but that stock donations raise potential concerns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
The screener picks have also seen improvement in forward EPS since the end of June and a fall in the stock of more than 10% since then.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026
Trump, like many other soon-to-be retirees, ultimately may be more interested in a little home improvement.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
After counselling Ben saw an improvement, and is now an advocate for more support for men and boys.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
But when she’d first met him, he’d been barefoot, so this was an improvement.
From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata
Leaders in both parties already agree that improvements to the American insurance model are necessary.
From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2026
Many of its building systems and previous improvements “are now approaching the end of their useful life,” according to the city staff report.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
According to The Real Deal, they included upgrades to the fireplace, a new roof, lighting and electrical updates, and improvements to the heating system.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
Unrest has flared across the country as students demand improvements in school conditions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
With the backing of a school board dedicated to making improvements, Hayes went to work to boost academic performance in Odessa.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
