Improvement: meaning, definitions and examples

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improvement

 

[ ɪmˈpruːvmənt ]

Context #1 | Noun

general

The action of making something better; the process of becoming or making something better.

Synonyms

betterment, enhancement, upgrade.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
improvement

Used broadly to refer to any positive change or progress. It can be applied in personal, professional, or general contexts.

  • The new policy led to a significant improvement in employee productivity.
  • She noticed an improvement in her health after starting a new diet.
enhancement

Typically used when talking about making something better in quality, value, or attractiveness. Often used in technical, technological, or cosmetic contexts.

  • The software update includes significant enhancements to the user interface.
  • She invested in a skin care regimen aimed at the enhancement of her complexion.
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.

  • I decided to upgrade my phone to the latest model.
  • The company announced an upgrade to their customer support system.
betterment

Often used in formal or academic contexts to talk about overall progress or advancement, usually on a societal or community level.

  • The charity is dedicated to the betterment of underprivileged communities.
  • Education is key to the betterment of society.

Examples of usage

  • There is always room for improvement in our work.
  • She suggested some improvements to the design.
Context #2 | Noun

business

An increase in the value or quality of something.

Synonyms

advancement, development, progress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
improvement

Used for general cases where something becomes better than it was before. It can apply to skills, systems, or products.

  • The improvement in her grades is remarkable.
  • There has been a significant improvement in the software's performance.
advancement

Typically used in professional or formal contexts to describe career progress or technological progress.

  • His advancement to senior manager was well-deserved.
  • The advancement in medical technology has saved many lives.
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.

  • The development of the new shopping center is underway.
  • Her development over the past year has been impressive.
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.

  • She is making good progress in learning English.
  • The project is showing significant progress.

Examples of usage

  • The company saw a significant improvement in sales this quarter.
  • The new software update resulted in an improvement in efficiency.
Context #3 | Noun

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?

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Word Description / Examples
improvement

This word is used when something becomes better or more effective, particularly in relation to quality or condition.

  • There's been a significant improvement in her health
  • The company is focusing on the improvement of customer service
progress

Best used when describing forward or onward movement towards a destination or goal, indicating ongoing positive development.

  • She made great progress in learning the piano
  • The project is making steady progress
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.

  • The company has seen significant growth this quarter
  • Personal growth is a vital part of our development
enhancement

This word is appropriate when describing the process of making something better or more attractive, often in a technical or specialized manner.

  • Software updates provide enhancement of the system's performance
  • The enhancement of the building's facade drew in more tourists

Examples of usage

  • His improvement in shooting accuracy has been impressive this season.
  • The coach praised the team for their continuous improvement in defense.

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

Etymology

The word 'improvement' originated from the Old French word 'amendement', which means the action of mending or repairing. It entered the English language in the late 15th century. The concept of improvement has always been linked to the idea of progress and making things better. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass a wide range of meanings across various fields such as business, sports, and personal development.

See also: improv, improvable, improve, improved, improvements, improver, improving, improvise.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,219, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.