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improved

/ɪmˈpruvd/
/ɪmˈpruvd/
IPA guide

Something that's improved has gotten much better than it used to be. An improved menu at a restaurant has more choices — or at least more of your favorites.

The adjective improved is good for describing things that are made to work better or have been updated in some way. An improved piece of computer software might be faster or more efficient than the old version, and if you have an improved outlook on life this morning, you're feeling more optimistic and happy than you were yesterday. The Anglo-French root is emprouwer, "to turn to profit."

Definitions of improved
  1. adjective
    become or made better in quality
    “was proud of his improved grades”
    “an improved viewfinder”
    synonyms:
    better
    (comparative of `good') superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
  2. adjective
    made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
    “new houses are springing up on an improved tract of land near the river”
    “an improved breed”
    synonyms:
    built, reinforced
    (used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
    developed
    (of real estate) made more useful and profitable as by building or laying out roads
    landscaped
    (of land) improved by gardening or landscape architecture
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    unimproved
    not made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially not made ready for use or marketing
    dirt, ungraded
    (of roads) not leveled or drained; unsuitable for all year travel
    scrub
    (of domestic animals) not selectively bred
  3. adjective
    (of land) made ready for development or agriculture by clearing of trees and brush
    improved farmlands”
    synonyms:
    cleared
    rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
Pronunciation
US
/ɪmˈpruvd/
UK
/ɪmˈpruvd/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘improved'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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