improver — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Something that, or someone who, improves something.

   Examples

   He introduced and encouraged manufactures of all kinds; and no inventor or improver of any ingenious art did he suffer to go unrewarded.

   More examples (1)

   Never did Christmas board display a more goodly and gracious assemblage of countenances: those who were not handsome were, at least, happy; and happiness is a rare improver of your hard-favoured visage.

   What a song. What an instant mood improver. It’ll make you forget all the tension you had built up […]

2. Specifically, a person who improves land or property, a landscaper.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   […] may not one say Homer is in this like a skilful Improver, who places a beautiful Statue in a well-disposed Garden so as to answer several Vistas, and by that Artifice one single Figure seems multiply’d into as many Objects as there are Openings from whence it may be viewed?

   He had been visiting a friend in a neighbouring county, and that friend having recently had his grounds laid out by an improver, Mr. Rushworth was returned with his head full of the subject, and very eager to be improving his own place in the same way; […]

3. One who improves his or her performance, one who shows improvement (of individuals or groups).

   Examples

   The hotel can also arrange beginner and improver angling lessons with a local instructor.

   The biggest improvers over the last year, according to the index were Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines […]

   More examples (1)

   The last-named player was given outings in three of the four Tests against England recently, and although plenty of rough edges remained understandably apparent, he gave the impression of being a willing learner and improver.

4. A substance added to cause improvement (especially to a foodstuff).

   Examples

   Soy flour is often added to bread as an improver. It helps the dough texture and can make the bread quite soft.

   When planting a new olive tree, mix organic soil improver and fertiliser into the planting hole and keep the soil moist while the olive establishes itself.

5. A pad worn by women to make the dress hang properly.

   Usage

   • Historical

Noun

1. One who performs improv; an improviser.

Noun

1. someone devoted to the promotion of human welfare and to social reforms

   Synonyms

   humanitariando-gooder

   Broader terms

   benefactorhelper

2. a component that is added to something to improve it

   Synonyms

   additionadd-on

   Broader terms

   componentconstituentelement

   Examples

   the addition of a bathroom was a major improvement

   the addition of cinnamon improved the flavor