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 Egg consumption could improve the body’s production of a specific enzyme that leads to stronger bones, experts said. Sarah Garone, Health, 23 Mar. 2024 The good news is that many types of cancer are now survivable for years if not decades, the quality of life for survivors has improved markedly and there are ways to improve the odds. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 Republican chances of winning control of the U.S. Senate improved Wednesday when a Washington Post poll showed Larry Hogan (R., Md.) trouncing his potential Democratic opponents by double digits. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 23 Mar. 2024 On Thursday, a spokesperson for Kensington Palace confirmed to the Telegraph that Catherine was slowly returning to her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood commitments, charity work that seeks to improve the lives of babies and young children. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Money that has already been earmarked to pay the fine will instead be used to improve staffing and student services if the waiver is approved, according to the teachers union. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024 The restoration project—expected to be complete in 2027—is part of an even larger $500 million initiative to improve the National Mall for the country’s 250th birthday in 2026. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024 Across the sectors, improving maintenance, production, and the supply chain are currently among the most promising generative AI applications. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024 Ferbert has stressed the need for a city attorney independent of the council and the mayor, while suggesting relationships could be improved. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'improve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of improve was in 1509

Dictionary Entries Near improve

Cite this Entry

“Improve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improve. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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