# improve

/ˌɪmˈpɹuv/ (US) · /ɪmpɹˈuːv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/improve
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to make something better

verb · CEFR A1

to make something better or more useful.

For teachers: to enhance the quality, value, or condition of something. Transitive — takes a direct object.

- The city plans to improve the local parks by adding new benches.
- The management team implemented several new protocols designed to improve communication between the regional offices and the headquarters.

### 2. to become better

verb · CEFR A1

to get better at something or to show progress.

For teachers: to become better in quality or condition. Intransitive — does not take a direct object.

- Her health began to improve after she started the new medicine.
- Economic conditions in the region are expected to improve significantly once the new trade agreement is ratified next year.

### 3. to use for a good purpose

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

to use an opportunity or time in a very productive way.

For teachers: to turn a situation or period of time to profitable account. Often used in the phrase 'improve the occasion'.

- He sought to improve every spare moment by reading classic literature.
- The preacher took the opportunity to improve the occasion, delivering a moral lesson to the gathered crowd.

## Examples

- I read books every day to improve my English.
- The company updated its software to improve security and fix several bugs that users had reported.
- Although the patient's condition began to improve after the initial treatment, the doctors cautioned that a full recovery would require months of intensive physical therapy.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.