ameliorate AIBU?

[LightTheFlameThrower]

Is this really a standard word that most people know? (I thought it was a typo)

I know it, but I've only ever seen it used in a professional capacity through my line of work (senior level).

Often uttered in this house - because it is also a cream to treat Keratosis Pilaris

It is a word I know but rarely hear used in regular conversation either at home or work. I have probably used it maximum twice in speech, as I tend to speak plainly so would use a different word.

I know it well. Its French equivalent is I think a little more common and it comes from the Latin, so its meaning is obvious to me. I'm a Languages nerd though. I wouldn't think it's a particularly common word in normal English conversation.

I know it, I use it, I don’t often hear it, and I don’t often see it in print. I don’t think it’s really uncommon. I think more people would have an understanding of it than would personally use it. Overall, I’d say fairly uncommon.

I can’t work out your voting though!

Not common, but also not so rare it would raise an eyebrow if I heard it in conversation

The French word for improve is ameliorer so it’s obviously from the same root.it does seem to appear a lot more recently....

I know it however it’s not common and most people wouldn’t use it often.

I know the word but have never used it. I don't think it's particularly common. I can't remember the last time I heard it or read it.

@Twillow

I do, but I wouldn't be surprised if people didn't know it. As a very broad generalisation, I do not find the British population to be widely literate. The posts on Facebook that I see regularly without a full stop in sight never cease to amaze me.

You're looking for complete sentences on facebook?

You have high expectations... and a social contract that is doomed!

@Dahlietta

I know it well. Its French equivalent is I think a little more common and it comes from the Latin, so its meaning is obvious to me. I'm a Languages nerd though. I wouldn't think it's a particularly common word in normal English conversation.

@Dahlietta I agree with you. I don’t use it often in English very often, but I have very often explained that je voudrais améliorer mon français! Very common in French.

Abrogate with embrocate then.

It’s not common, but I’d expect anyone who reads books to know what it means.

I would explain it to A level students but probably expect adults to know it.

In dd’s 11+ vocab list

It’s not common at all.
I have an English degree and teach English and while I have heard of it have never used it and don’t know what it means. Pretty sure none of my friends, 2 of whom went to Cambridge use it either.

Bvop that doesn’t surprise me. Some of those are brutal!

I only really know it as a skincare brand, but I did know it was a verb as well I think but didn't really know what it meant?

@Smileyaxolotl1

It’s not common at all. I have an English degree and teach English and while I have heard of it have never used it and don’t know what it means. Pretty sure none of my friends, 2 of whom went to Cambridge use it either.

That really surprises me!

What does it mean

Doesn’t surprise me. I went to Oxbridge and had no clue what it meant ( didn’t read English)

I’d expect an English graduate to know it!

It's not especially common. I know the word (but I'm a linguist and French teacher) and could certainly easily use it in a sentence. I wouldn't though, because I would consider the more commonly known and understood word 'improve' perfectly adequate unless you're trying to impress people.

@Smileyaxolotl1

It’s not common at all. I have an English degree and teach English and while I have heard of it have never used it and don’t know what it means. Pretty sure none of my friends, 2 of whom went to Cambridge use it either.

Crikey!

It's not that unusual!

I used to live in Cambridge... if that helps!

If I'm doing posh businesslike and want to look I use it. Otherwise not.