Improving: meaning, definitions and examples

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improving

 

[ ɪmˈpruːvɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

skills enhancement

Making or becoming better; developing to a more satisfactory state.

Synonyms

advancing, developing, enhancing, progressing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
improving

Used when something is getting better in a general sense, such as skills, health, or an overall situation.

  • She is improving her cooking skills.
  • His health is improving day by day.
  • The project is improving each week.
enhancing

Used when something is being made better in quality, particularly in ways that make it more effective or attractive. Has a positive connotation.

  • She is enhancing the design of her website.
  • These vitamins are enhancing his health.
  • The company is enhancing its customer service.
advancing

Used when something is moving forward or making progress in a particular area, often related to technology, science, or a specific field.

  • The company is advancing in AI technology.
  • Researchers are advancing in cancer treatment.
  • Her career is advancing rapidly.
developing

Used when something is growing or evolving, often related to skills, economies, or projects. It implies a process over time.

  • They are developing a new software.
  • The country is developing its infrastructure.
  • He is developing his language skills.
progressing

Used when something is moving forward in stages, often referring to ongoing work or projects that are making headway.

  • The construction work is progressing well.
  • Her studies are progressing smoothly.
  • Their negotiations are progressing positively.

Examples of usage

  • He is constantly working on improving his English language skills.
  • She believes that continuous learning is key to improving oneself.
  • We are committed to improving our customer service.
Context #2 | Verb

performance enhancement

Achieving a higher standard or quality in performance.

Synonyms

boosting, elevating, enhancing, upgrading.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
improving

General use for making something better, often implies gradual or ongoing progress.

  • She is improving her language skills by practicing every day.
  • The company is constantly improving its customer service.
enhancing

Used to describe making something better or more attractive, often in terms of quality or value.

  • The chef is enhancing the flavor of the dish with fresh herbs.
  • They made several changes to enhance the user experience on the website.
boosting

Used when referring to a sudden or significant increase in something, such as energy, confidence, or performance.

  • The new marketing campaign is boosting sales.
  • He took a short walk to boost his energy levels.
upgrading

Used when increasing the quality, standard, or performance of something, usually replacing it with a newer or better version.

  • The software needs upgrading to the latest version.
  • She has upgraded her old phone to the newest model.
elevating

Used when making something higher in status, rank, or quality. Often implies a rise in importance or excellence.

  • The new policy is aimed at elevating the quality of education.
  • She has been elevated to the position of vice president.

Examples of usage

  • The new software aims at improving the efficiency of the system.
  • Regular practice is essential for improving your musical abilities.
Context #3 | Noun

personal growth

The act of making something better or more satisfactory.

Synonyms

betterment, development, enhancement, progress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
improving

Use 'improving' when talking about making something better step by step, often seen in personal growth, skills, or health.

  • Her cooking skills are improving over time.
  • The patient's condition is improving with treatment.
enhancement

Use 'enhancement' to speak about the improvement of something that already exists, often used with features, technology, or appearance.

  • The software update includes several enhancements.
  • He worked on the enhancement of his presentation skills.
betterment

Use 'betterment' in formal contexts to talk about the overall improvement of a situation, community, or society.

  • The charity is focused on the betterment of underprivileged children.
  • He dedicated his life to the betterment of his community.
progress

Use 'progress' to talk about moving forward or advancing towards a goal, often used in long-term projects, education, or societal changes.

  • She is making good progress in her studies.
  • The country is making progress towards economic stability.
development

Use 'development' to describe the process of growth or advancement in areas like business, technology, or personal skills.

  • The city is seeing rapid development in its infrastructure.
  • Personal development is key to a fulfilling career.

Examples of usage

  • Improving oneself requires dedication and effort.
  • The continuous improvement of processes leads to higher efficiency.

Translations

Translations of the word "improving" in other languages:

🇵🇹 melhorando

🇮🇳 सुधारना

🇩🇪 verbessern

🇮🇩 memperbaiki

🇺🇦 покращення

🇵🇱 poprawianie

🇯🇵 改善(かいぜん)

🇫🇷 amélioration

🇪🇸 mejorando

🇹🇷 iyileştirme

🇰🇷 개선 (개선하다)

🇸🇦 تحسين

🇨🇿 zlepšování

🇸🇰 zlepšovanie

🇨🇳 改善 (gǎishàn)

🇸🇮 izboljševanje

🇮🇸 bæta

🇰🇿 жақсарту

🇬🇪 გაუმჯობესება

🇦🇿 yaxşılaşdırma

🇲🇽 mejorando

Etymology

The word 'improving' originated from the Middle English word 'improven', which meant 'to prove or demonstrate'. Over time, the meaning evolved to signify making something better or more satisfactory. The concept of improvement has been integral to human progress and development, driving individuals and societies to strive for excellence and growth.

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

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,187, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.