improve

Main Entry:: im·prove
Pronunciation:: \im-ˈprüv\
Function:: verb
Inflected Form(s):: im·proved; im·prov·ing
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
Date:: circa 1529

transitive verb1archaic : employ , use2 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 pavement3: to use to good purposeintransitive verb1: to advance or make progress in what is desirable2: to make useful additions or amendments

— im·prov·abil·i·ty

\(ˌ)im-ˌprü-və-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— im·prov·able

\-ˈprü-və-bəl\ adjective

— im·prov·er noun

synonyms 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>.

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