Definition
To make better or improve a bad or unsatisfactory situation. Often used when discussing social problems, conditions, or circumstances that need improvement.
Etymology
From Latin 'melior' meaning 'better,' combined with the prefix 'ad-' (to). First appeared in English in the 18th century during the Enlightenment when social reform was a major focus.
Kelly Says
Think 'A MELON RATE' - imagine rating melons to make the fruit selection better! The 'melio-' root appears in 'mellifluous' (sweetly flowing) and connects to the idea of making things sweeter or better.
Translations
CSČeština
zlepšit
zleh-PSHEE-t
DADansk
forbedre
fohr-BEH-dreh
DEDeutsch
verbessern
vair-BEHS-ern
ELΕλληνικά
βελτιώνω
veltiónō
ESEspañol
mejorar
meh-yoh-RAHR
FISuomi
parantaa
pah-RAHN-tah
FRFrançais
améliorer
ah-meh-lee-oh-REH
HIहिन्दी
सुधारना
sudharna
HUMagyar
javítani
yah-VEE-tah-nee
IDBahasa Indonesia
memperbaiki
mehm-peh-RAH-kee
ITItaliano
migliorare
mee-lyoh-RAH-reh
KO한국어
개선하다
gae-seon-ha-da
NLNederlands
verbeteren
vair-BEH-teh-ren
NONorsk
forbedre
fohr-BEH-dreh
PLPolski
poprawiać
poh-prah-VEE-ahch
PTPortuguês
melhorar
meh-loh-HAHR
RORomână
îmbunătăți
oom-bu-nah-TAH-tsee
RUРусский
улучшать
oo-loo-CHAH-t
SVSvenska
förbättra
fohr-BEH-trah
THไทย
ปรับปรุง
bprap-bprung
TRTürkçe
iyileştirmek
ee-yeh-LEHST-er-mek
UKУкраїнська
поліпшувати
po-lee-PSH-oo-vah-ty
VITiếng Việt
cải thiện
khai thien