Improving: meaning, definitions and examples

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improving

 

[ɪmˈpruːvɪŋ ]

Definitions

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'improving' comes from the Latin word 'probare' meaning 'to test or prove,' showing that improvement involves trying new things.
  • The prefix 'im-' means 'to make' or 'to cause', which indicates that improving is about making something better.

Psychology

  • Studies show that setting small, achievable goals can greatly increase motivation and personal improvement.
  • The growth mindset, coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, suggests that believing skills can be developed leads to continuous improvement.

Education

  • In educational contexts, continuous feedback during learning helps students identify areas for improvement.
  • Programs focused on improving skills emphasize practice and reflection, supporting lifelong learning.

Technology

  • Software updates often focus on improving user experience, making tasks easier and more efficient.
  • The concept of continuous improvement drives innovation in technology, encouraging relentless enhancements to products and services.

Health and Wellness

  • Physical routines and mental exercises are often designed with the goal of improving overall health and well-being.
  • Nutrition plays a significant role in improving both physical health and cognitive function, showcasing the importance of a balanced diet.

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

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.