improve
/ɪmˈpɹuːv/ verb
Forms improves improving improved emprove
- verb (transitive) To make (something) better; to increase the value or productivity (of something). “Painting the woodwork will improve this house.”
- verb (intransitive) To become better. “I have improved since taking the tablets.”
- verb (dated) To use or employ to good purpose; to turn to profitable account. “to improve one's time; to improve his means”
- verb (obsolete) To disprove or make void; to refute.
- verb (obsolete) To disapprove of; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure.
Synonyms
ameliorate better batten enhance amend hone meliorate refine get better look up
Antonyms
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman emprouwer, from Old French en- + prou (“profit”), from Vulgar Latin prode (“advantageous, profitable”).
From Latin improbō (“disapprove, reject”). Doublet of improbate.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To disprove or make void; to refute. [Obs.]
- verb To disapprove; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure; as, to improve negligence. [Obs.] Chapman.
- verb To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land. Donne.
- verb 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.
Etymology [Pref. im- not + prove: cf. L. improbare, F. improuver.]
Etymology [Pref. in- in + prove, in approve. See Approve, Prove.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “improve”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details