improve

verb

im·​prove im-ˈprüv How to pronounce improve (audio)
improved; improving

transitive verb

1
a
: to enhance in value or quality : make better
b
: to increase the value of (land or property) by making it more useful for humans (as by cultivation or the erection of buildings)
c
: to grade and drain (a road) and apply surfacing material other than pavement
2
: to use to good purpose
3
archaic : employ, use

intransitive verb

1
: to advance or make progress in what is desirable
2
: to make useful additions or amendments
improvable adjective
improver noun
Choose the Right Synonym for improve

improve, better, help, ameliorate mean to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard.

improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

Examples of improve in a Sentence

This operation will greatly improve her chances of survival. The advertising campaign has improved sales. Maybe we'll buy a house when our financial situation improves. Her writing has improved since the beginning of the school year. The company has been having steadily improving sales.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump 100 days: Former president's success created measuring stick for future leaders From Trump to Reagan: Their first 100 days Trump promised to improve the economy on Day 1. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025 However, the latest reports suggest that situation is improving, albeit with lowball offers. Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 Critics of the emerging technology, though, have been less than enthusiastic, calling drones more of a novelty than a way to improve public safety. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025 The Vatican has been working for years to try to improve relations with China that were officially severed more than seven decades ago when the Communists came to power. Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for improve

Word History

Etymology

Middle English improuen, emprouen, from Anglo-French emprouer to make profit from, from French en- + pru, prou advantage, from Late Latin prode — more at proud

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of improve was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Improve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improve. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

improve

verb
im·​prove im-ˈprüv How to pronounce improve (audio)
improved; improving
1
: to make or become better
genetics helps us improve plants
when economic conditions improve
2
: to increase the value of (land or property) by making improvements
3
: to make good use of
improved their time by studying German
4
: to make useful additions or changes
improvable adjective
improver noun

More from Merriam-Webster on improve

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