How to pronounce improvement
Say it like im-PROOV-munt. Improvement has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PROOV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce improvement. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PROOV
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Improvement pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PROOVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of improvement
American and British speakers say improvement in essentially the same way: /ˌɪmˈpruvmənt/ in the US and /ɪmˈpruːvmənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: im-PROOV-munt.
What does improvement mean?
- a change for the better; progress in development
- the act of improving something“their improvements increased the value of the property”
- a condition superior to an earlier condition“the new school represents a great improvement”
Where does improvement come from?
From Anglo-Norman emprouwement.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with improvement
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of improvement.
Questions about saying improvement
How do you pronounce improvement?
Say im-PROOV-munt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈpruvmənt/. In British English it is /ɪmˈpruːvmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in improvement?
Improvement has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PROOV). Broken into parts: im · PROOV · munt.
Do Americans and Brits say improvement the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪmˈpruvmənt/ and the British form is /ɪmˈpruːvmənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.