upgrade

[uhp-greyd, uhp-greyd, uhp-greyd, uhp-greyd]

noun

1. an incline going up in the direction of movement.

2. an increase or improvement.

   an upgrade in the year's profit forecast.

3. a new version, improved model, etc..

   The company is offering an upgrade of its sports sedan.

4. an increase or improvement in one's service, accommodations, privileges, or the like.

   If the ship isn't full we'll receive an upgrade to a deluxe stateroom.

5. something, as a piece of equipment, that serves to improve or enhance.

   a full range of upgrades available for your computer.

adjective

1. uphill; of, pertaining to, on, or along an upgrade.

adverb

1. up a slope.

verb (used with object)

upgraded, upgrading 

1. to promote to a higher grade or rank.

   He has been upgraded to senior vice president.

2. to improve or enhance the quality or value of.

   to upgrade property by landscaping it.

verb (used without object)

upgraded, upgrading 

1. to improve the quality, value, effectiveness, or performance of something.

   Buy this basic computer and upgrade whenever you're ready.

upgrade

verb

1. to assign or promote (a person or job) to a higher professional rank or position

2. to raise in value, importance, esteem, etc

3. to improve (a breed of livestock) by crossing with a better strain

noun

1. an upward slope

2. improving or progressing, as in importance, status, health, etc

adjective

1. going or sloping upwards

adverb

1. up an incline, hill, or slope

Other Word Forms

• upgradable adjective
• upgradeable adjective
• upgradability noun
• upgradeability noun
• upgrader noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of upgrade¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; up- + grade

Example Sentences

The Louvre will also renovate other areas of the museum and add new amenities like toilets and restaurants - upgrades which are projected to cost several hundred million euros.

Read more on BBC

The government has said the measures in the Employment Rights Bill mark the "biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation".

Read more on BBC

Over the summer, I wrote a whole guide to upgrading icebox cakes, and most of the same rules apply here: start with a hero flavor, hand-whip your cream and layer with intention.

Read more on Salon

By 18:22 local time, officials upgraded the fire to a level five - the most serious category.

Read more on BBC

“These provisions aim to lower effective investment costs and improve cash flow, thereby encouraging equipment purchases, facility upgrades, and research and development expansion,” says SocGen.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• boost 
• enhance 
• increase 
• promote 
• raise