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:
Chief Executive Noel Wallace said the recent period marked Colgate-Palmolive’s fourth quarter of sequential improvement in worldwide volume growth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
But Lovell said "not all companies have delivered the environmental improvement schemes they have been funded for".
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
The Lucas gardens in Expo Park are an undeniable improvement on the asphalt parking lot they replaced, but they are a missed opportunity to create the habitat Los Angeles desperately needs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Although this does not establish that GLP-1 caused the improvement, it suggests that changes originating in the digestive system may be connected to muscle function as well as pain.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
The following day, however, the improvement continued, and that night he slept peacefully.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Metro also didn’t get $23 million for additional improvements at transit hubs, including seating, shade structures, Wi-Fi, restrooms, hydration stations, vending machines and concessions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026
But a first breakthrough is usually followed by improvements and generalizations, so this might eventually lead to better data analysis tools in many branches of science.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
Georgia officials had been wooing Audi for years, promising incentives and infrastructure improvements in the area.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
However, the researchers caution that the results do not establish whether sauna bathing produces lasting improvements in immune function or reduces the risk of illness.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
Along with improvements in his physical and mental strength, the training helped boost Roosevelt’s self-confidence.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
