Improvement: meaning, definitions and examples
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improvement
[ɪmˈpruːvmənt ]
Definitions
general
The action of making something better; the process of becoming or making something better.
Synonyms
betterment, enhancement, upgrade.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| improvement |
Used broadly to refer to any positive change or progress. It can be applied in personal, professional, or general contexts.
|
| enhancement |
Typically used when talking about making something better in quality, value, or attractiveness. Often used in technical, technological, or cosmetic contexts.
|
| upgrade |
Commonly used in contexts involving technology, products, and services to mean improving to a newer, better version. It often implies a step change in capability or quality.
|
| betterment |
Often used in formal or academic contexts to talk about overall progress or advancement, usually on a societal or community level.
|
Examples of usage
- There is always room for improvement in our work.
- She suggested some improvements to the design.
business
An increase in the value or quality of something.
Synonyms
advancement, development, progress.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| improvement |
Used for general cases where something becomes better than it was before. It can apply to skills, systems, or products.
|
| advancement |
Typically used in professional or formal contexts to describe career progress or technological progress.
|
| development |
Used when referring to the process of growth or expansion over time. Can apply to personal growth, projects, or areas such as urban development.
|
| progress |
Used to describe forward movement toward a goal or improvement over time. Often used in educational or scientific contexts, as well as for personal goals.
|
Examples of usage
- The company saw a significant improvement in sales this quarter.
- The new software update resulted in an improvement in efficiency.
sports
The action of a player or team getting better at a particular skill or aspect of the game.
Synonyms
enhancement, growth, progress.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| improvement |
This word is used when something becomes better or more effective, particularly in relation to quality or condition.
|
| progress |
Best used when describing forward or onward movement towards a destination or goal, indicating ongoing positive development.
|
| growth |
This word is commonly used when referring to an increase in size, number, value, or strength, often in an economic or personal development context.
|
| enhancement |
This word is appropriate when describing the process of making something better or more attractive, often in a technical or specialized manner.
|
Examples of usage
- His improvement in shooting accuracy has been impressive this season.
- The coach praised the team for their continuous improvement in defense.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- Derived from the Middle English word 'improven', which means to make better or to enhance.
- The prefix 'im-' means 'in' or 'on', while 'prove' comes from Latin 'probare', which means to test or establish.
- The modern sense of the word began to appear prominently in the 16th century.
Psychology
- Research shows that acknowledging small improvements can boost motivation and lead to larger gains over time.
- The concept of 'growth mindset', introduced by psychologist Carol Dweck, emphasizes the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
- Self-reflection is key to improvement; regularly assessing your skills helps identify areas that need growth.
Education
- In educational contexts, formative assessments provide ongoing feedback, allowing learners to improve before final evaluations.
- Project-based learning encourages continuous improvement by allowing students to iterate on their work based on feedback.
- Peer assessment in classrooms fosters collaboration and helps students recognize areas where they can grow.
Technology
- The software development process often uses 'agile' methods to ensure incremental improvements based on user feedback.
- Continuous improvement is a key principle in Lean manufacturing, focusing on reducing waste and enhancing efficiency.
- Artificial intelligence is now being used to identify areas for improvement in various fields, from healthcare to marketing.
Sports
- Athletes often set personal records to measure their improvement over time, keeping them motivated and focused.
- Training regimes are designed with specific goals in mind to ensure consistent improvement in performance.
- The practice of 'deliberate practice' involves focusing on specific skills, which can lead to significant improvement.
Translations
Translations of the word "improvement" in other languages:
🇵🇹 melhoria
🇮🇳 सुधार
🇩🇪 Verbesserung
🇮🇩 peningkatan
🇺🇦 покращення
🇵🇱 poprawa
🇯🇵 改善 (kaizen)
🇫🇷 amélioration
🇪🇸 mejora
🇹🇷 iyileştirme
🇰🇷 개선 (gaeseon)
🇸🇦 تحسين (tahseen)
🇨🇿 zlepšení
🇸🇰 zlepšenie
🇨🇳 改进 (gǎijìn)
🇸🇮 izboljšava
🇮🇸 bæting
🇰🇿 жақсарту
🇬🇪 გაუმჯობესება (gaumjobeseba)
🇦🇿 yaxşılaşdırma
🇲🇽 mejora