The difference between Improve and Nerf

When used as verbs, improve means to make (something) better, whereas nerf means to bump lightly, whether accidentally or purposefully.


Nerf is also noun with the meaning: the weakening or worsening of a character, a weapon, a spell, etc.

check bellow for the other definitions of Improve and Nerf

  1. Improve as a verb (transitive):

    To make (something) better; to increase the value or productivity (of something).

    Examples:

    "Painting the woodwork will improve this house."

    "Buying more servers would improve performance."

  2. Improve as a verb (intransitive):

    To become better.

    Examples:

    "I have improved since taking the tablets."

    "The error messages have improved since the last version, when they were incomprehensible."

  3. Improve as a verb (obsolete):

    To disprove or make void; to refute.

  4. Improve as a verb (obsolete):

    To disapprove of; to find fault with; to reprove; to censure.

    Examples:

    "to improve negligence"

    "rfquotek Chapman"

  5. Improve as a verb (dated):

    To use or employ to good purpose; to turn to profitable account.

    Examples:

    "to improve one's time;  to improve his means"

  1. Nerf as a verb (motor racing):

    To bump lightly, whether accidentally or purposefully.

    Examples:

    "A racer will often nerf another as a psychological tactic."

  1. Nerf as a verb (slang, video games, especially of developers rather than players):

    To cripple or weaken (a character, a weapon, a spell, etc.).

    Examples:

    "The lightning spell was originally pretty powerful, but in the sequel they nerfed it so it became completely useless."

  1. Nerf as a noun (slang, video games):

    The weakening or worsening of a character, a weapon, a spell, etc.