# improvement

/ˌɪmˈpɹuvmənt/ (US) · /ɪmpɹˈuːvmənt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the act of making better

noun · CEFR B1

the process of making something better than it was before.

For teachers: the act or process of enhancing the quality, value, or condition of something.

- The coach noticed a big improvement in the team's passing during the second half.
- Continuous improvement in manufacturing processes is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the global market.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'in' to specify the area of change.

### 2. a better state or result

noun · CEFR B1

a change that makes something better, or a version that is better than the old one.

For teachers: the state of being improved or a specific instance of such a change.

- The new software is a huge improvement over the old version.
- The latest quarterly figures represent a significant improvement on the previous year's performance, exceeding most analysts' expectations.

Usage: Can be used as a countable noun when referring to a specific change.

### 3. physical additions

noun · CEFR B2

a physical change made to a place, like a building or a garden, to make it more valuable.

For teachers: valuable additions or modifications made to a property, machine, or piece of land.

- They spent the summer making home improvements, like painting the walls and fixing the roof.
- The tenant is entitled to compensation for any permanent improvements made to the premises with the landlord's prior written consent.

Usage: Commonly used in the plural when referring to property or real estate.

Teaching tip: In a legal or real estate context, this specifically refers to permanent fixtures like fences or new rooms.

## Examples

- There is a big improvement in your English skills.
- The city saw a significant improvement in air quality after the new environmental laws were passed last year.
- While the initial results were promising, the engineering team noted that further improvement in battery efficiency would be necessary before the product could be released to the general public.

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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.