improve
[ im-proov ]
/ ɪmˈpruv /
verb (used with object), im·proved, im·prov·ing.
to bring into a more desirable or excellent condition: He took vitamins to improve his health.
to make (land) more useful, profitable, or valuable by enclosure, cultivation, etc.
to increase the value of (real property) by betterments, as the construction of buildings and sewers.
to make good use of; turn to account: He improved the stopover by seeing a client with offices there.
verb (used without object), im·proved, im·prov·ing.
to increase in value, excellence, etc.; become better: The military situation is improving.
to make improvements, as by revision, addition, or change: None of the younger violinists have been able to improve on his interpretation of that work.
Origin of improve
1425–75; late Middle English
improuen, emprouen < Anglo-French
emprouer to turn (something) into profit, derivative of phrase
en prou into profit, equivalent to
en (see
en-1) +
prou, Old French
prou, preu < Late Latin
prōde (
est), by reanalysis of Latin
prōdest (it) is beneficial, of use, with
prōde taken as a neuter noun (cf.
proud);
v by association with
prove,
approve
SYNONYMS FOR improve
1
amend,
emend.
Improve,
ameliorate,
better imply bringing to a more desirable state.
Improve usually implies remedying a lack or a felt need:
to improve a process, oneself (
as by gaining more knowledge ).
Ameliorate, a formal word, implies improving oppressive, unjust, or difficult conditions:
to ameliorate working conditions. To
better is to improve conditions which, though not bad, are unsatisfying:
to better an attempt, oneself (
gain a higher salary ).
OTHER WORDS FROM improve
Words nearby improve
improper integral,
improperia,
impropriate,
impropriety,
improv,
improve,
improve on,
improvement,
improver,
improvident,
improvisation
Example sentences from the Web for improve
British Dictionary definitions for improve
improve
/ (ɪmˈpruːv) /
verb
to make or become better in quality; ameliorate
(tr)
to make (buildings, land, etc) more valuable by additions or betterment
(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
on the improve Australian informal
improving
Derived forms of improve
Word Origin for 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