4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Improve  \Im*prove"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Improved};  p.  pr  & 
  vb  n.  {Improving}.]  [Pref.  in-  in  +  prove,  in  approve.  See 
  {Approve},  {Prove.}] 
  1.  To  make  better;  to  increase  the  value  or  good  qualities 
  of  to  ameliorate  by  care  or  cultivation;  as  to  improve 
  land.  --Donne. 
 
  I  love  not  to  improve  the  honor  of  the  living  by 
  impairing  that  of  the  dead.  --Denham. 
 
  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  --Shak. 
 
  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  oppotunity. 
  --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.  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;  recify;  amend;  reform. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Improve  \Im*prove"\,  v.  t.  [Pref.  im-  not  +  prove:  cf  L. 
  improbare,  F.  improuver.] 
  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.  To  disapprove;  to  find  fault  with  to  reprove;  to  censure; 
  as  to  improve  negligence.  [Obs.]  --Chapman. 
 
  When  he  rehearsed  his  preachings  and  his  doing  unto 
  the  high  apostles,  they  could  improve  nothing. 
  --Tyndale. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Improve  \Im*prove"\,  v.  i. 
  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.  To  advance  or  progress  in  bad  qualities;  to  grow  worse. 
  ``Domitain  improved  in  cruelty.''  --Milner. 
 
  3.  To  increase;  to  be  enhanced;  to  rise  in  value;  as  the 
  price  of  cotton  improves. 
 
  {To  improve  on}  or  {upon},  to  make  useful  additions  or 
  amendments  to  or  changes  in  to  bring  nearer  to 
  perfection;  as  to  improve  on  the  mode  of  tillage. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  improve 
  v  1:  to  make  better  in  quality  or  more  valuable;  "The  editor 
  improved  the  manuscript  with  his  changes."  [syn:  {better}, 
  {amend},  {ameliorate},  {meliorate}]  [ant:  {worsen}] 
  2:  get  better;  "The  weather  improved  toward  evening."  [syn:  {better}, 
  {ameliorate},  {meliorate}]  [ant:  {worsen}] 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z