B1noun1K

Improvement

UK /["/ɪmˈpruːvmənt/"]/US /["/ɪmˈpruːvmənt/"]/

Definition

the act of making something better; the process of something becoming better

In simple words: Making something better or becoming better.

Examples

  • There has been a significant improvement in her grades this semester.
  • The team's improvement in communication has made a huge difference in their performance.
  • We need to focus on the improvement of our services to attract more customers.
  • His physical improvement was noticeable after months of training.
  • The ongoing improvement in technology has transformed the way we work.
  • She made several suggestions for the improvement of the project.
  • While the company experienced temporary setbacks, overall, there was a steady improvement.
  • An unexpected improvement in sales has boosted the company's morale.

Usage notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts, 'improvement' is often applied to skills, behaviors, or processes. It is appropriate in discussions about personal growth, business outcomes, and academic progress.

Grammar pattern

improvement + in/on/at + object

Memory hint

Think of 'improve' and 'meant' — improvement means something is better than before.

Collocations

  • big
  • considerable
  • enormous
  • be
  • constitute
  • reflect
  • occur
  • take place
  • result from something
  • initiative
  • plan
  • programme/​program
  • improvement in
  • improvement on
  • improvement over
  • an area for improvement
  • an area of improvement
  • room for improvement
  • big
  • considerable
  • enormous
  • be
  • constitute
  • reflect
  • occur
  • take place
  • result from something
  • initiative
  • plan
  • programme/​program
  • improvement in
  • improvement on
  • improvement over
  • an area for improvement
  • an area of improvement
  • room for improvement

Synonyms

  • enhancement
  • advancement
  • progress
  • betterment
  • refinement

Antonyms

  • deterioration
  • decline

Common mistakes

  • Confusing with 'improve' as a noun
  • Using 'improvement' without specifying what is improving
  • Misplacing prepositions like 'on' or 'in'