1 B1 neutral
To achieve a better result or quality than a previous performance or existing thing.
"She ran the course in record time, and it will be difficult to improve on that."
inseparable
improve on
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To produce a better result, version, or performance than something or someone that already exists.
In plain English
To do something better than before or better than someone else.
What does "improve on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To make something better than its current form by adding or changing elements.
"The engineers worked all night to improve on the original design."
inseparable
Usage tip
Very common in academic, business, and everyday contexts. Often used in comparisons ('hard to improve on') or challenges ('can you improve on this?'). 'Improve upon' is a more formal variant.
Words that pair with "improve on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
record performance design score offer result work
How to conjugate "improve on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
improve on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
improves on
he/she/it
Past simple
improved on
yesterday
Past participle
improved on
have + pp
-ing form
improving on
continuous
Hear "improve on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "improve on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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