upgrade

American  

[uhp-greyd, uhp-greyd, uhp-greyd, uhp-greyd] / ˈʌpˌgreɪd, ˈʌpˈgreɪd, ʌpˈgreɪd, ˈʌpˌgreɪd /

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.

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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 British  

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

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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

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

Etymology

Origin of upgrade

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

Example Sentences

Gifts here should improve daily life: nicer linens, a staycation, or an upgraded alarm clock to make hitting snooze more pleasant.

From The Wall Street Journal

Much of that spending went to upgrade the city’s and regional rail lines, which are expected to be overwhelmed given the spread-out nature of the Games.

From Los Angeles Times

There hasn’t been a lot of Tesla-specific news on which to pin gains, no Wall Street upgrades or changes to analyst price targets.

From Barron's

Nevertheless, this is likely to result in only minor upgrades to consensus estimates at this stage, she adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

In addition to the purchase price, the winning bidder will need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on upgrades to accommodate growing cargo volumes without expanding the terminal’s footprint.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boost
• enhance
• increase
• promote
• raise