improving 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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Link To improving

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.

Improving

Im*prov"ing\, a. Tending to improve, beneficial; growing better. -- Im*prov"ing*ly, adv.

Improving lease (Scots Law), an extend lease to induce the tenant to make improvements on the premises.

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