improve

Compared meaning: to make something better (verb).

比较义项：使某物变得更好、改善（动词）。

• improve 本词

  The default, all-purpose word for gradual positive change in quality or skill; works in almost any everyday context, with a plain, neutral register.

  是表示逐渐变得更好（在质量或技能方面）最常用、最通用的词，几乎适用于任何日常语境，语体中性。

  Reading every night really helped improve his vocabulary over the year.

  每晚阅读确实帮助他在这一年里提高了词汇量。

• better

  As a verb, 'better' usually means to surpass a previous specific level, such as a record or score, and sounds more formal or literary than 'improve'.

  作动词时，better 通常指超越之前的某个具体水平（如纪录或成绩），语体比 improve 更正式、更偏书面。

  The champion betters her own world record by nearly two seconds.

  这位冠军把自己保持的世界纪录又提高了将近两秒。

• amend

  Used mainly in formal or legal contexts for making a small official correction or adjustment to a written text, law, or rule, not for general improvement.

  主要用于正式或法律语境，指对文本、法律或规则做小幅度的正式修改或更正，而非泛指一般性的改善。

  Lawmakers plan to amend the tax code before the new fiscal year.

  立法者计划在新财年开始前修改税法。

Improve, better, and amend all mean to make something better. Improve is the everyday, all-purpose word for change. Better, as a verb, usually means surpassing a previous level, like a record. Amend is formal or legal, for an official correction to a text or law.

这三个词都表示使某物变得更好，但语气和使用范围不同：improve 最通用、语体中性，几乎适用于任何场合；better 作动词时偏正式或书面，强调超越之前的具体水平（如纪录、成绩）；amend 专指对文本、法律或规则做正式的小幅修改或更正。这里不比较 better 作形容词或副词表示“更好的、更好地”的用法。