improve

improve — verb

1. to become better, or to make something better — for example, your English improv

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

to become better, or to make something better — for example, your English improves when you practise, or you improve a room by painting the walls.

Example

Sivan has been taking piano lessons, and her playing has improved a lot.

intransitive: improve without an object

The hotel manager promised to improve the breakfast service after guests complained.

transitive: improve + noun phrase (service/facilities/quality)

Common collocations
  • improve greatly / significantly / dramatically
  • improve steadily / gradually / noticeably
  • improve with practice / time / age
  • improve on / upon a score / record / design
  • improve the quality / performance / situation
Synonyms
  • enhance

    More formal than 'improve'; usually transitive and focuses on adding value to something already good rather than fixing problems.

  • better

    Less formal; can mean improving your position, rank, or circumstances, as in 'better oneself'.

  • upgrade

    Means replacing or installing something newer or better, like upgrading software or equipment.

  • refine

    Means making small, careful adjustments to improve precision or quality, often of details.

  • ameliorate

    Very formal; typically used for making a bad situation less unpleasant or severe.

Antonyms
  • worsen

    To become or make something worse.

  • decline

    To become weaker, lower, or less good in quality or condition.

Grammar Patterns

improve + noun phrase (transitive)

subject + improve (intransitive)

improve + adverb (greatly, significantly)

improve + on/upon + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used both with and without an object. With an object (transitive), the subject actively makes something better. Without an object (intransitive), the subject itself becomes better. The pattern 'improve on/upon' adds the meaning of surpassing a previous standard or achievement.

Common Mistakes

The weather improved up.
The weather improved.
'improve' does not need the particle 'up'.
I need to improve my English level.
I need to improve my English.
'improve' already implies raising the level; adding 'level' is redundant.
There was an improve in sales.
There was an improvement in sales.
'improve' is a verb; use 'improvement' as the noun form.
Phrasal verbs

improve on/upon

phrasal verb

to produce or achieve something better than a previous thing or attempt.

Kabir improved upon his brother's recipe by adding fresh basil and garlic.

The designer hopes to improve on last year's award-winning model.

improve on

phrasal verb

To do something better than before or better than someone else.

Sara improved on her previous score by ten points.

Can you improve on this design before the deadline?

improve upon

phrasal verb

To make something better by changing or adding to it.

The chef improved upon the recipe with fresh herbs.

Diego improved upon his brother's invention last year.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

The five near-synonyms of 'improve' differ in formality, scope, and what kind of betterment they describe. Enhance focuses on increasing the value, attractiveness, or effectiveness of something already good — you enhance a photo with filters, but you do not enhance a broken chair. Better is less formal and can refer to improving one's position or knowledge, as in 'better yourself through education.' Upgrade specifically implies replacing something with a newer or superior version, like upgrading your phone or a hotel room. Refine means making precise, small improvements to details — you refine a speech, a design, or a skill through repeated practice. Ameliorate is the most formal and is reserved for making a bad situation less severe rather than making a good thing better. For example: 'She improved her writing by reading more' (general betterment) vs. 'She refined the essay by cutting unnecessary words' (detail polishing). 'He upgraded his laptop' (replacement) vs. 'He enhanced the photo with editing software' (added value).

enhance ↗better ↗upgrade ↗refine ↗ameliorate

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • improve over time
  • improve with practice
  • improve the quality of life
  • improve on a record

Prepositions

Etymology

Anglo-FrenchOld FrenchEnglish

'Improve' entered English in the late Middle Ages from Anglo-French 'emprouer,' meaning 'to turn to profit.' This word was formed from Old French 'en-' (to cause to be) and 'prou' (profit, advantage). In its earliest English uses, 'improve' meant 'to make a profit from land or property.' Over time, the meaning broadened to any kind of betterment, losing the financial sense. The modern spelling and pronunciation were settled by the 17th century.