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4 dictionary results for: Improving

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

im·prove

[im-proov] Pronunciation Key verb, -proved, -prov·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to bring into a more desirable or excellent condition: He took vitamins to improve his health.

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)

5.	to increase in value, excellence, etc.; become better: The military situation is improving.

6.	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: 1425–75; late ME improuen, emprouen < AF emprouer to turn (something) into profit, deriv. of phrase en prou into profit, equiv. to en (see en-¹) + prou, OF prou, preu < LL prōde (est), by reanalysis of L prōdest (it) is beneficial, of use, with prōde taken as a neut. n. (cf. proud); v by assoc. with prove, approve

]

—Related forms

im·prov·a·ble, adjective

im·prov·a·bil·i·ty, im·prov·a·ble·ness, noun

im·prov·a·bly, adverb

im·prov·ing·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 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).

—Antonyms 1, 5. worsen.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

im·prove   (ĭm-prōōv') Pronunciation Key
v.   im·proved, im·prov·ing, im·proves

v.   tr.

To raise to a more desirable or more excellent quality or condition; make better.
To increase the productivity or value of (land or property).
To put to good use; use profitably.

v. intr.

To become better.
To make beneficial additions or changes: improve on the translation.

[Middle English improwen, to enclose land for cultivation, from Anglo-Norman emprouwer, to turn to profit : Old French en-, causative pref. (from Latin in-; see in-²) + Old French prou, profit (from Late Latin prōde, advantageous; see proud).]

im·prov'a·ble adj., im·prov'a·bly adv.

Synonyms: These verbs mean to advance to a more desirable, valuable, or excellent state. Improve and better, the most general terms, are often interchangeable: You can improve (or better) your mind through study; I got a haircut to improve (or better) my appearance.
Help usually implies limited relief or change: Gargling helps a sore throat.
To ameliorate is to improve circumstances that demand change: Volunteers were able to ameliorate conditions in the refugee camp.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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