improve

The definition of improve is to make something or someone better, or to become better.

(verb)

  1. An example of improve is when you make a new product that is better than the old one.
  2. An example of improve is when you practice piano until you learn to play better.

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See improve in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb improved, improving

  1. Now Rare to use profitably or to good advantage: to improve one's leisure by studying
  2. to raise to a better quality or condition; make better
  3. ☆ to make (land or structures) more valuable by cultivation, construction, etc.

Origin: earlier improw < Anglo-Fr emprower < en-, in + prou, gain, advantage < LL prode, advantage (back-form. < L prodesse, to be of advantage): see pro- & is

intransitive verb

to become better in quality or condition

Related Forms:

See improve in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb im·proved, im·prov·ing, im·proves
verb, transitive
  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.
verb, intransitive
  1. To become better.
  2. To make beneficial additions or changes: improve on the translation.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English improwen, to enclose land for cultivation

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman emprouwer, to turn to profit

Origin: : Old French en-, causative pref. (from Latin in-; see in-2)

Origin: + Old French prou, profit (from Late Latin prōde, advantageous; see proud)

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Related Forms:

  • im·provˈa·ble adjective
  • im·provˈa·bly adverb

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