Definition of 'improve'

improve

(ɪmpruːv )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense improves , present participle improving , past tense , past participle improved

1. verb

If something improves or if you improve it, it gets better.

Both the texture and condition of your hair should improve. [VERB]

The weather is beginning to improve. [VERB]

Time won't improve the situation. [VERB noun]

He improved their house. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: get better, pick up, look up [informal] , develop More Synonyms of improve

2. verb

If a skill you have improves or you improve a skill, you get better at it.

Their French has improved enormously. [VERB]

He said he was going to improve his football. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: make better, perfect, polish, strengthen More Synonyms of improve

3. verb

If you improve after an illness or an injury, your health gets better or you get stronger.

He had improved so much the doctor had cut his dosage. [VERB]

Synonyms: recuperate, recover, rally, mend More Synonyms of improve

4. verb

If you improve on a previous achievement of your own or of someone else, you achieve a better standard or result.

We need to improve on our performance against France. [VERB + on]

More Synonyms of improve

improve

(ɪmˈpruːv )

verb

to make or become better in quality; ameliorate

2. (transitive)

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

4. on the improve

Derived forms

improvable (imˈprovable)

adjective

improvability (imˌprovaˈbility) or improvableness (imˈprovableness)

noun

improvably (imˈprovably)

adverb

improver (imˈprover)

noun

improvingly (imˈprovingly)

adverb

Word origin of 'improve'

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

improve in American English

(ɪmˈpruv ; impro̅ovˈ)

verb transitiveWord forms: imˈproved or imˈproving

1. Rare

to use profitably or to good advantage

to improve one's leisure by studying

to raise to a better quality or condition; make better

3. US

to make (land or structures) more valuable by cultivation, construction, etc.

verb intransitive

to become better in quality or condition

Idioms:

improve on

SYNONYMY NOTE: improve, better1 both imply a correcting or advancing of something that is not in itself necessarily bad, the former by supplying a lack or want [to improve a method] and the latter by seeking something more satisfying [he's left his job to better himself]; ameliorate implies a bad, oppressive, or intolerable condition to begin with [to ameliorate the lot of the poor]

OPPOSITES: worsen, impair

Derived forms

improvability (imˌprovaˈbility)

noun

improvable (imˈprovable)

adjective

improver (imˈprover)

noun

Word origin of 'improve'

earlier improw < Anglo-Fr emprower < en-, in + prou, gain, advantage < LL prode, advantage (back-form. < L prodesse, to be of advantage): see pro-2 & is1

Example sentences containing 'improve'

My own efficiency and effectiveness was enormously improved as a result. Times, Sunday Times (2007)We must improve to get the victory we deserve. The Sun (2012)His fielding has improved so much and he performed two crucial run outs. The Sun (2011)The manager will get what he needs to make sure we improve the squad next season. Times, Sunday Times (2006)The fact is that daylight improves standards in public life. Times, Sunday Times (2009)This was not only because the weather improved. Times, Sunday Times (2010)We need to raise awareness of the symptoms and improve access to health care. The Sun (2014)But his voice improved to become this amazing instrument. The Sun (2011)We should improve our skills and our security and remove these people. Times, Sunday Times (2012)We all know competition improves the quality of services and pushes down the cost. The Sun (2011)The organisation also campaigns to raise awareness and understanding of mental health conditions and improve services. The Sun (2015)It would make more sense to let the people stay and pay rent until their situation improves. The Sun (2009)We are getting better and improving fast. The Sun (2015)It is very difficult for a manager to go in and suddenly make players dramatically improve. The Sun (2016)Part of the problem was that there was no incentive to improve competition or standards. Times, Sunday Times (2013)He also had the benefit of improved weather in the second week. Times, Sunday Times (2016)So staff feel better about themselves and their health will improve so businesses gain. Times, Sunday Times (2008)There is also training to improve social skills. Times, Sunday Times (2008)More vigorous competition will improve the quality of representation. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Last night his condition had improved slightly after three weeks in hospital and he was critical but stable. The Sun (2013)It has meant that huge amounts of money have suddenly become available to improve infrastructure and to pay down debt. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The colour spectrum of make-up bases has also improved enormously. Times, Sunday Times (2008)This is why spots and aches are often much improved after a night's sleep. Whiteside, Dr Mike Banish Headaches -how to obtain fast, drug-free relief from headache (1990) Time On has improved immeasurably over the winter, which she entered with one placed effort from three outings. Times, Sunday Times (2006) Time On has improved since being stepped up to middle distances and was impressive when making all the running in listed company at Chester. Times, Sunday Times (2006)