English · Word Candidate

amend

/əˈmɛnd/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: amends · amending

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To make better; improve.

Verb

Examples

Mud not the fountain that gave drink to thee; Mar not the thing that cannot be amended.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To become better.

Verb

Examples

The teacher sat at one end of the bench, with a meek little fellow by his side. When the others were disorderly, this young martyr received a rap; intended, probably, as a sample of what the rest might expect, if they didn't amend.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

An act of righting a wrong; compensation.

Noun

Examples

Thus by the code of the Visigoths, it was forbidden to all strangers to take their subjects under a penalty of one hundred lashes and an amend in gold.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “amend” mean?

To make better; improve.

Is “amend” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.