improve

The word “improve” means to make something better in quality, value, or condition. In plain terms, to make, or become, better than before.

“Improve” is pronounced ihm-PROOV (/ɪmˈpɹuːv/ in IPA).

Here is “improve” used in a sentence: “The new manager improved staff morale within a few months.”

Words with a similar meaning to “improve” include better, batten, enhance, amend, hone and meliorate.

The opposite of “improve” — its antonyms — are deteriorate, worsen, aggravate, make matters worse and pejorate.

“Improve” is a verb.

The word “improve” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Anglo-Norman emprouwer, ultimately from Vulgar Latin prode ("profitable, advantageous").

“Improve” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

'Improve' means to make something better, often by fixing a weakness or raising a low standard. 'Enhance' means to add to or intensify something that is already good — enhancing flavour, or enhancing an image. You improve a poor essay; you enhance a strong one. Enhance builds on quality that already exists.

The opposite of 'improve' is to make something worse. Common antonyms are 'worsen', 'deteriorate', 'decline', and 'degrade'. If your health worsens it gets poorer; if a building deteriorates it falls into disrepair. Where 'improve' raises quality, value, or condition, these words lower it.

You improve your fitness by exercising regularly, improve a report by editing out errors, or improve a house by repairing and decorating it. In each case something moves from a lower state to a better one — in quality, value, or condition.