improve
American Heritage Dictionary:
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im·prove
(ĭm-prūv') 
v., -proved, -prov·ing, -proves. v.tr.
improvably im·prov'a·bly adv.
v., -proved, -prov·ing, -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.
- 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).]
improvable im·prov'a·ble adj.improvably im·prov'a·bly adv.
SYNONYMS improve, better, 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.
Fowler's Modern English Usage:
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improvable
meaning 'able to be improved', is spelt without an e in the middle.
| impromptu, imprint, impresario | |
| improvise, in, in order for |
Roget's Thesaurus:
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improve
verb
- To advance to a more desirable state: ameliorate, amend, better1, help, meliorate, upgrade. See help/harm/harmless.
- To regain one's health: come around (or round), convalesce, gain, mend, perk up, rally, recover, recuperate. See health/sickness.
Antonyms by Answers.com:
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improve
v
Definition: make or become better
Antonyms: damage, decline, decrease, diminish, harm, hurt, impair, injure, weaken, worsen
Word Tutor:
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improve
IN BRIEF: To make or become better.
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.
— Winston Churchill, British prime minister during World War II.
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Sign Language Videos:
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improve
sign description: The right CLOSED 5-hand makes a bouncing movement up the left extended arm from the wrist to the upper arm.
See crossword solutions for the clue Translations:
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Improve
Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - forbedre, udvikle, udbygge, forskønne, forædle, stige i kurs
v. intr. - forbedres, udvikle sig
Nederlands (Dutch)
verbeteren, vooruitgaan, opknappen, veredelen
Français (French)
v. tr. - augmenter (des salaires), améliorer, (Archit, Constr) aménager, (Agric) amender, accroître (le rendement)
v. intr. - s'améliorer, améliorer (un score), renchérir sur, augmenter (la productivité), (Agric) augmenter (le rendement)
Deutsch (German)
v. - (sich) verbessern, verfeinern, erhöhen
Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - βελτιώνω/-ομαι, καλυτερεύω
Italiano (Italian)
avanzare, perfezionare, migliorare
Português (Portuguese)
v. - melhorar
Русский (Russian)
улучшать, воспользоваться
Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - progresar, adelantar, avanzar, perfeccionar, mejorar, aumentar, cultivar, embellecer, corregir
v. intr. - mejorar, mejorarse, adelantar, progresar
Svenska (Swedish)
v. - förbättra(s), utnyttja, repa sig (efter sjukdom), stiga (om pris)
中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
改良, 利用, 改善, 变得更好, 增加, 提高
中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 改良, 利用, 改善
v. intr. - 改善, 變得更好, 增加, 提高
한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - 개량하다, 좋게 하다, 이용하다
v. intr. - 좋아지다, 향상되다
日本語 (Japanese)
v. - 改善する, 向上させる, 十分利用する, よくなる, 好転する, 進歩する, 改良する, 活用する
العربيه (Arabic)
(فعل) يتحسن, يحسن
עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - שיפר, השביח, העלה ערכו, ניצל, גידל
v. intr. - השתפר, השביח
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Roget's Thesaurus
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary Copyright © 1995 byHoughton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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