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IMPROVEMENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The act of improving something
Example:
their improvements increased the value of the property
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("improvement" is a kind of...):
change of state (the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "improvement"):
upgrade (the act of improving something (especially machinery) by raising it to a higher grade (as by adding or replacing components))
stabilisation; stabilization (the act of making something (as a vessel or aircraft) less likely to overturn)
fix; fixing; fixture; mend; mending; repair; reparation (the act of putting something in working order again)
airing; ventilation (the act of supplying fresh air and getting rid of foul air)
upturn (an upward movement or trend as in business activity)
enhancement; sweetening (an improvement that makes something more agreeable)
overhaul; redevelopment; renovation (the act of improving by renewing and restoring)
modernisation; modernization (making modern in appearance or behavior)
humanisation; humanization (the act of making more human)
enrichment (act of making fuller or more meaningful or rewarding)
tenderisation; tenderization (the act of making meat tender by pounding or marinating it)
development (act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining)
cleaning; cleansing; cleanup (the act of making something clean)
correction; rectification (the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right)
optimisation; optimization (the act of rendering optimal)
perfection (the act of making something perfect)
reform (a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses)
amelioration; betterment; melioration (the act of relieving ills and changing for the better)
self-improvement; self-reformation (the act of improving yourself)
clarification; clearing (the act of removing solid particles from a liquid)
Derivation:
improve (to make better)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A change for the better; progress in development
Synonyms:
advance; betterment; improvement
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("improvement" is a kind of...):
shift; transformation; transmutation (a qualitative change)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "improvement"):
resurgence; revitalisation; revitalization; revival; revivification (bringing again into activity and prominence)
elaboration; refinement (the result of improving something)
accommodation; adjustment; fitting (making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances)
conservation; preservation (an occurrence of improvement by virtue of preventing loss or injury or other change)
recovery (return to an original state)
Derivation:
improve (get better)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A condition superior to an earlier condition
Example:
the new school represents a great improvement
Synonyms:
improvement; melioration
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("improvement" is a kind of...):
condition; status (a state at a particular time)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "improvement"):
betterment (an improvement that adds to the value of a property or facility)
development (a state in which things are improving; the result of developing (as in the early part of a game of chess))
reformation (improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices etc.; intended to make a striking change for the better in social or political or religious affairs)
refurbishment; renovation; restoration (the state of being restored to its former good condition)
Antonym:
decline (a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state)
Derivation:
improve (get better)
Context examples:
It may admit of improvement, however.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
I have little heart for extensive improvements till I know that it will ever have a mistress.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
These referees each return an evaluation of the work, including suggestions for improvement.
(Peer Review, NCI Thesaurus)
The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration, perhaps of improvement.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Examples of outcomes include decreased pain, reduced tumor size, and improvement of disease.
(Outcome, NCI Dictionary)
An improvement that can be measured by the health care provider (for example, when a tumor shrinks or there are fewer cancer cells in the blood).
(Objective improvement, NCI Dictionary)
Odanacatib selectively binds to and inhibits the activity of cathepsin K, which may result in a reduction in bone resorption, improvement of bone mineral density, and a reversal in osteoporotic changes.
(Odanacatib, NCI Thesaurus)
General Clinical Global Impressions (GCGI v1) Global improvement of pain.
(GCGI - Global Improvement of Pain, NCI Thesaurus)
However, the average improvement was three times larger after pink-noise stimulation.
(Sound Waves Boost Older Adult' Memory, Deep Sleep, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
Prior to receiving toxin injections, eight participants reported moderate or severe disability and after treatment, six of those patients noted an improvement.
(Scientists identify spasm in women with endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain, National Institutes of Health)
