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improve

 - 3 dictionary results

im⋅prove

  [im-proov] verb, -proved, -prov⋅ing.
Use improve in a Sentence
–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.
Cite This Source Link To improve
im·prove   (ĭm-prōōv')   
v.   im·proved, im·prov·ing, im·proves

v.   tr.

  1. To raise to a more desirable or more excellent quality or condition; make better.

  2. To increase the productivity or value of (land or property).

  3. To put to good use; use profitably.

v.   intr.

  1. To become better.

  2. 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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Word Origin & History

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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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