| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| improve |
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| SYLLABICATION: | im·prove |
| PRONUNCIATION: |   m-pr v |
| VERB: | Inflected forms: im·proved, im·prov·ing, im·proves
| | TRANSITIVE VERB: | 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. | | INTRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To become better. 2. To make beneficial additions or changes: improve on the translation. | | ETYMOLOGY: | 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 pr de, advantageous; see proud). | | OTHER FORMS: | im·prova·ble —ADJECTIVE
im·prova·bly —ADVERB
| | SYNONYMS: | improve, better1, help, ameliorate 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.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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