improve definition | Dictionary.com

im⋅prove

[im-proov]

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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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im·prove (ĭm-prōōv')

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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Improve

Im*prove"\, v. t. [Pref. im- not + prove: cf. L. improbare, F. improuver.]

1. To disprove or make void; to refute. [Obs.]

Neither can any of them make so strong a reason which another can not improve. --Tyndale.

2. To disapprove; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure; as, to improve negligence. [Obs.] --Chapman.

When he rehearsed his preachings and his doing unto the high apostles, they could improve nothing. --Tyndale.

Improve

Im*prove"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Improved; p. pr. & vb. n. Improving.] [Pref. in- in + prove, in approve. See Approve, Prove.]

1. To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land. --Donne.

I love not to improve the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead. --Denham.

2. To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; as, to improve one's time; to improve his means. --Shak.

We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us. --Barrow.

A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved. --Addison.

The court seldom fails to improve the oppotunity. --Blackstone.

How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour. --I. Watts.

Those moments were diligently improved. --Gibbon.

True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion. --Washington.

3. To advance or increase by use; to augment or add to; -- said with reference to what is bad. [R.]

We all have, I fear, . . . not a little improved the wretched inheritance of our ancestors. --Bp. Porteus.

Syn: To better; meliorate; ameliorate; advance; heighten; mend; correct; recify; amend; reform.

Improve

Im*prove"\, v. i. 1. To grow better; to advance or make progress in what is desirable; to make or show improvement; as, to improve in health.

We take care to improve in our frugality and diligence. --Atterbury.

2. To advance or progress in bad qualities; to grow worse. "Domitain improved in cruelty." --Milner.

3. To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as, the price of cotton improves.

To improve on or upon, to make useful additions or amendments to, or changes in; to bring nearer to perfection; as, to improve on the mode of tillage.

Language Translation for : improve

Spanish: mejorar, perfeccionar,

German: verbessern,

Japanese: 良くする

More Translations »

improve

1473, "to use to one's profit," from Anglo-Fr. emprouwer "to turn to profit" (1292), from O.Fr. en-, causative prefix, + prou "profit," from L. prode "advantageous" (see proud). Meaning "to raise to a better quality or condition" first recorded 1617. Phrase improve the occasion retains the etymological sense. Meaning "to turn land to profit" (by clearing it, erecting buildings, etc.) was in Anglo-Fr. (13c.) and was retained in the American colonies.

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