English Explanatory Dictionary

meliorate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make better; to improve; to solve a problem.
  2. To become better.

Pronunciation

/ˈmiːli.əɹeɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-meliorate.wav

Word forms

meliorate meliorates meliorating meliorated

Etymology

First attested in 1542; borrowed from Late Latin meliorātus, perfect passive participle of meliorō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from melior (“better”).

Synonyms

ameliorate refine resolve work out aprimorate (non-native speakers’ English (chiefly Portuguese)) amend batten better enhance hone improve meliorate get better look up absolve decipher get to the bottom of iron out puzzle out ravel reason out riddle sleuth solve tease out think out unpuzzle unravel unriddle unsolve upsolve Any from Thesaurus:untangle age like a fine wine heal

Related words

ameliorate

Derived words

meliorable meliorater melioration meliorative meliorator
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