improvement

[im-proov-muhnt]

noun

1. an act of improving or the state of being improved.

2. a change or addition by which a thing is improved.

3. 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

4. a bringing into a more valuable or desirable condition, as of land or real property; betterment.

   Synonyms: repair, enhancement

5. something done or added to real property that increases its value.

6. profitable use, as of a period of time.

improvement

/ ɪmˈpruːvmənt /

noun

1. the act of improving or the state of being improved

2. something that improves, esp an addition or alteration

3. alteration of the structure, fixtures, fittings, or decor of a building without changing its function Compare conversion

4. (usually plural) a building or other works on a piece of land, adding to its value

Other Word Forms

• nonimprovement noun
• preimprovement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of improvement¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English improuement, from Anglo-French emprouement “something profitable (especially exploitation of land)”; improve, -ment

Example Sentences

But it is only by identifying and highlighting these issues and implementing changes that the BBC demonstrates its commitment to continuous improvement.

Read more on BBC

Has Root overcome his Boland problem or was the improvement purely down to conditions?

Read more on BBC

Investors’ rosy feelings about having a lot more money—at least on paper—are powering spending on restaurant meals, business-class airline tickets, home improvement and more, keeping the broader economy humming.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

However, he is optimistic that it will post a smaller net loss than Wall Street is expecting this quarter, and anticipates that the company will have “significant profitability improvements” late next year and into 2027.

Read more on MarketWatch

The trust was again rated "inadequate" by the Care Quality Commission earlier this year despite some improvements having been made.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• advance 
• advancement 
• change 
• development 
• enhancement 
• gain 
• growth 
• increase 
• progress 
• recovery 
• renovation 
• revision 
• rise 
• upgrade