improve

Improve means to make something better or more effective. It is used as a transitive verb, as in improve performance, and can also describe progress over time (things improve). The noun form is improvement, referring to the act or result of making something better.

The word originates in Middle English, with influences from Old French and Latin roots meaning better. People often connect improve to related forms such as ameliorate and amelioration, which share the Latin root melior meaning better.

In everyday language, improve is used for skills, health, conditions, or processes. In business and engineering, improvement aims to increase quality, efficiency, reliability, or safety. In software and data management, improvements may involve bug fixes, performance optimizations, feature enhancements, or data quality improvements. In education and research, experiments and learning strategies are designed to improve outcomes.

Improvement is usually achieved through assessment, feedback, and iterative changes. Common frameworks include continuous improvement and the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) cycle, Kaizen, and quality management methods. Measurement relies on baselines and targets, using metrics such as time, cost, defect rate, or user satisfaction to determine progress.

Related concepts include enhancement, optimization, refinement, amelioration, and progression. Antonyms include worsen and deteriorate. Organizations strive to improve processes, and individuals seek to improve skills.