# improve

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪmˈpɹuːv/ · frequency rank #1,696

## Definitions
1. To make (something) better; to increase the value or productivity (of something).
2. To become better.
3. To use or employ to good purpose; to turn to profitable account.

## Etymology
From Anglo-Norman emprouwer, from Old French en- + prou (“profit”), from Vulgar Latin prode (“advantageous, profitable”).

## Easily confused with
- **improved** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/improve-vs-improved)
- **improvise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/improve-vs-improvise)
- **impose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impose-vs-improve)
- **improv** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/improv-vs-improve)
- **implore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/implore-vs-improve)
- **implode** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/implode-vs-improve)
- **improper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/improper-vs-improve)

## Common misspellings (10)
`immprove`, `imporve`, `impprove`, `improev`, `improvve`, `imprrove`, `imprvoe`, `imrpove`, `ipmrove`, `miprove`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/improve