51Թ

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View synonyms for

improve

[ im-proov ]

verb (used with object)

improved, improving.
  1. to bring into a more desirable or excellent condition:

    He took vitamins to improve his health.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. to make (land) more useful, profitable, or valuable by enclosure, cultivation, etc.
  3. to increase the value of (real property) by betterments, as the construction of buildings and sewers.
  4. to make good use of; turn to account:

    He improved the stopover by seeing a client with offices there.



verb (used without object)

improved, improving.
  1. to increase in value, excellence, etc.; become better:

    The military situation is improving.

    Antonyms:

  2. 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.

improve

/ ɪˈː /

verb

  1. to make or become better in quality; ameliorate
  2. tr 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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. on the improve informal.
    improving
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈDZ, adverb
  • ˈDZԲ, adverb
  • ˈDZ, noun
  • ˌDZˈٲ, noun
  • ˈDZ, adjective
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ·DZa· adjective
  • ·DZa·i·ٲ ·DZa··ness noun
  • ·DZa· adverb
  • ·DZiԲ· adverb
  • i·DZ verb (used with object) preimproved preimproving
  • ܲȴ-·DZ adjective
  • p··DZ adjective
  • ɱ-·DZ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of improve1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English improuen, emprouen from Anglo-French emprouer “to turn (something) into profit,” derivative of phrase en prou “into profit,” equivalent to en ( en- 1 ) + prou, Old French prou, preu from Late Latin ō (est), by reanalysis of Latin ō “(it) is beneficial, of use,” with ō taken as a neuter noun ( proud ); the sound v was made by association with prove, approve
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of improve1

C16: from Anglo-French emprouer to turn to profit, from en prou into profit, from prou profit, from Late Latin ō beneficial, from Latin ōsse to be advantageous, from pro- 1+ esse to be
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Wharton says that although results at the beginning of the season did not go Palace's way, he always believed the Eagles would improve.

From

He advocated scaling back that team, which is trained to respond to calls involving people having mental health crises, until the department’s staffing levels improve.

From

Adams Kellum sent a letter to the court outlining reforms by her agency to improve financial and contract oversight.

From

He has that desire and mindset to keep improving.

From

“If we can improve the game a little bit, we’re always willing to do something like that.”

From

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When To Use

What are other ways to say improve?

To improve something is to bring it into a more desirable or excellent condition. How is improve different from the verbs ameliorate and better? Find out on .

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