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

Example sentences from the Web for improving

British Dictionary definitions for improving

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