Improve
/ɪmˈpruːv/noun
To make or become better in quality, condition, or performance.
Did you know?The word entered English through Anglo-French in the sense of “to turn a profit,” so its original energy was less spiritual glow-up and more cold, practical gain.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
prode
“advantage, profit; useful”
Late Latin
Vulgar Latin
*prode
“to be of advantage; to profit”
Old French
Old French
emprover
“to turn to profit; to make profitable”
Middle English
English
improven
“to profit; to make profitable”
Modern English
English
improve
“to make or become better”
Explore more surprising origins