French word

améliorer

Pronunciation

IPA/ameljoʁe/

Meaning

  • verbimprove

Example

Je veux améliorer mon français.

I want to improve my French.

Illustration for améliorer (improve)

More examples

Pour améliorer la qualité, nous avons changé le processus.

To improve the quality, we changed the process.

Core concept

A hand raises a product from an ordinary level to a better-quality version.

Common phrases

  • améliorer ses compétences

    improve one's skills

  • améliorer la qualité

    improve the quality

  • améliorer la situation

    improve the situation

Similar words

s'améliorer: To become better in ability, condition, or performance.
progresser: To improve gradually through successive stages.
perfectionner: To refine something and raise its level of completion.
corriger: To fix errors or flaws and make something correct.

Definition in French

Rendre quelque chose meilleur ou accroître sa qualité.

Word origin

French améliorer comes from Old French ameillorer, formed from Latin meliorare and based on melior, meaning 'better'.

Usage tips

  • Améliorer is normally transitive: améliorer son français; the reflexive s'améliorer means to improve or get better oneself.

Opposites

  • détériorerdeteriorateverb
  • aggraverworsenverb

Related words

  • améliorationimprovementnoun
  • amélioréimprovedadjective
  • améliorableimprovableadjective

Word lists with this word