What does improvement mean?
Improvement means the process of becoming better, or the act of making something better. It can describe a broad development in a person, organisation, system, or product, as in “a marked improvement in service,” or a specific change that produces a better result. The word often implies measurable or observable progress, such as better quality, performance, efficiency, safety, or comfort. It is positive in connotation, although it is sometimes used more formally than simpler words such as “progress” or “bettering.” “Improvements” can refer to several separate changes made to a system or environment. Improvement is related to the verb “improve,” from which it is directly derived, and it is especially useful when discussing practical changes intended to raise standards or solve recurring problems.
nounThe process of making something better, or the state of having become better. An improvement is a beneficial change that increases quality, effectiveness, performance, or satisfaction.
- The process of making something better or more effective.
- A change or development that results in a better condition or outcome.
- An increase in value, quality, performance, or satisfaction.
"The new lighting made a noticeable improvement to the office."
"Regular practice led to a steady improvement in her performance."
"The council approved a proposal for further improvement of public transport."
Use the plural for separate beneficial changes or developments.
"The renovation brought many improvements to the building."
Improvement is the word for progress you can point to: a better result, a stronger skill, or a brighter version of what came before.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does improvement come from?
“Improvement” developed from the verb “improve,” which entered English through Old French forms connected with Latin empiriare, “to make better through experience.” That Latin word was related to empiricus, ultimately derived from Greek empirikos, meaning “experienced” or “testing by experience.” The noun “improvement” became established in English in the early 17th century and is related in origin to “empirical” and “empiricism.”
Related word forms
How improvement is actually used
The noun is both countable and uncountable. Use the uncountable form when referring to the general process of getting better, and the countable form for a particular beneficial change.