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Entry 8 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Improve

/ĭmˌ-pro͞ov'/ · Im·prove · IPA /ɪmˈpɹuːv/
01 v. t. To disprove or make void; to refute.
  1. 1.
    To disprove or make void; to refute.[Obs.]
    “Neither can any of them make so strong a reason which another can not improve.” — Tyndale.
  2. 2.
    To disapprove; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure; as, to improve negligence.[Obs.]
    “When he rehearsed his preachings and his doing unto the high apostles, they could improve nothing.” — Tyndale.
02 v. t. To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land.
imp. & p. p. Improved; p. pr. & vb. n. Improving
  1. 1.
    To make better; to increase the value or good qualities of; to ameliorate by care or cultivation; as, to improve land.
    “I love not to improve the honor of the living by impairing that of the dead.” — Denham.
  2. 2.
    To use or employ to good purpose; to make productive; to turn to profitable account; to utilize; as, to improve one's time; to improve his means.
    “We shall especially honor God by improving diligently the talents which God hath committed to us.” — Barrow.
    “A hint that I do not remember to have seen opened and improved.” — Addison.
    “The court seldom fails to improve the opportunity.” — Blackstone.
    “How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour.” — I. Watts.
    “Those moments were diligently improved.” — Gibbon.
    “True policy, as well as good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion.” — Washington.
  3. 3.
    To advance or increase by use; to augment or add to; -- said with reference to what is bad.[R.]
    “We all have, I fear, . . . not a little improved the wretched inheritance of our ancestors.” — Bp. Porteus.
Syn. To better; meliorate; ameliorate; advance; heighten; mend; correct; rectify; amend; reform.
03 v. i. To grow better; to advance or make progress in what is desirable; to make or show improvement; as, to improve in health.
  1. 1.
    To grow better; to advance or make progress in what is desirable; to make or show improvement; as, to improve in health.
    “We take care to improve in our frugality and diligence.” — Atterbury.
  2. 2.
    To advance or progress in bad qualities; to grow worse.
  3. 3.
    To increase; to be enhanced; to rise in value; as, the price of cotton improves.
Phrases & compounds
To improve on — to make useful additions or amendments to, or changes in; to bring nearer to perfection; as, to improve on the mode of tillage.