[im.prove] vb im.proved ; im.prov.ing [AF emprouer to invest profitably, fr. OF en- + prou advantage, fr. LL prode--more at proud] vt (ca. 1529) 1 archaic: employ, use
2. a: to enhance in value or quality: make better b: to increase the value of (land or property) by making it more useful for humans (as by cultivation or the erection of buildings) c: to grade and drain (a road) and apply surfacing material other than pavement
3: to use to good purpose ~ vi 1: to advance or make progress in what is desirable
2: to make useful additions or amendments -- im.prov.abil.i.ty n -- im.prov.able adj -- im.prov.er n syn improve, better, help, ameliorate mean to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard. improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad "measures to further improve the quality of medical care" "immigrants hoping to better their lot". help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement "a coat of paint would help that house". ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure "tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements".