improvement
Americannoun
-
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
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the act of improving or the state of being improved
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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.
Because the property needed work, the condo board—with Quasar advising—drew up a capital improvement plan and nearly doubled residents’ condo fees in August.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
The government is looking to cut taxes on dividends, raise them on real estate, and force underperforming companies to publish a “value-up” improvement plan, among other measures.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
Its reports make for some mixed reading - the ongoing improvement plan is acknowledged, but in reality the service is still not where it needs or wants to be.
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026
Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners this week approved the final $1-billion phase of spending for its new roadway improvement plan around LAX.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026
When Dave screws up, you get a performance improvement plan and Dave gets resentful.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 14, 2025
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.
