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improvement definition

im·prove·ment (im pro̵̅o̅v′mənt)

noun

  1. an improving or being improved; esp.,
    1. betterment
    2. an increase in value or in excellence of quality or condition
    3. Now Rare profitable use
    1. an addition or change that improves something
    2. a person or thing representing a higher degree of excellence
  3. a change or addition to land or real property, as a sewer, fence, etc., to make it more valuable

Etymology: Anglo-Fr emprowement

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business improvement definition - business

law improvement definition - legal

improvement Synonyms

improvement

n.

  1. The process of making or becoming better

    betterment, amelioration, melioration, rectification, change, amendment, alteration, reformation, progression, advance, advancement, development, refinement, growth, rise, reclamation, civilization, gain, cultivation, progressiveness, increase, enrichment, promotion, recovery, recuperation, healing, regeneration, furtherance, renovation, modernization, remodeling, refurbishment, repair, reorganization, reform, emendation, revision, elaboration, enhancement, elevation, preferment, ennoblement, shaking down*, getting the bugs out*; see also revision.

    Antonyms decay*, deterioration*, retrogression. *

  2. That which has been improved

    addition, supplement, repair, extra, attachment, correction, reform, remodeling, modernization, betterment, refinement, luxury, advance, advancement, step forward, enhancement, new model, deluxe model, latest thing*, last word*; see also change 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

improvement Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • deliver: The Council is working to deliver real improvements to the lives of disabled people in Vale Royal.

Noun used with modifier

  • productivity: The productivity improvement forecast for the end of September was 3.25 % .

Adjective modifier

  • continuous: Securing continuous improvement to the policing service through the Best Value regime.

Preposition: in

  • efficiency: Also, many new services can be introduced without dramatic improvements in spectrum efficiency.
improvement usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

improvement quotes

If this was adulthood, the only improvement she could detect inher situationwasthat nowshecould eat dessert without eating her vegetables.

-Alther, Lisa ne¤  e Reed

The average condition of the people improving or deteriorating, depends upon whether population is advancing faster than improvement, or improvement than population.

-Mill,John Stuart

The greatest improvement in the productive powers of labour, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity and judgement with which it is any where directed, as applied, seem to have been the effects of the division of labour.

-Smith, Adam

improvement quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"improvement." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/improvement>

APA Style

improvement. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/improvement

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