ameliorate
/əˈmiː.liə.reɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To make something better, especially a bad situation, problem, or condition. It is more formal than 'improve' and is often used in writing.
- The new policy may ameliorate poverty.
- She tried to ameliorate the tense atmosphere.
- These changes will ameliorate the problem.
Adinary Nuance
Ameliorate is close to 'improve', 'ease', and 'relieve', but it sounds more formal and less direct. Writers often choose it for serious problems, like poverty, pain, or conflict. In everyday speech, 'improve' is usually the more natural word. 'Ameliorate' often suggests making a bad situation less severe, not fully fixing it.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cải thiện
- Spanish
- mejorar
- Chinese
- 改善
- Japanese
- 改善する
- Korean
- 개선하다
Etymology
Ameliorate came into English in the 17th century from French, based on Latin roots meaning 'better'. It has kept a formal, written style.
Common phrases
ameliorate conditionsameliorate the situationameliorate suffering
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is ameliorate formal or informal?
- It is formal. People use it more in writing, reports, and academic English.
- What is the difference between ameliorate and improve?
- Improve is common in everyday English. Ameliorate is more formal and often used for serious problems.
- Can I use ameliorate in spoken English?
- Yes, but it may sound stiff in casual conversation. 'Improve' is usually easier and more natural.
- Does ameliorate mean completely solve?
- No. It usually means make a bad situation better, not fully solve it.