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

Explanation

To upgrade is to make improvements to something or exchange it for a better version. Some people upgrade their phone every time a new model comes out, while others prudently wait to see which new features they really need. Upgrade is also a noun: "I was lucky enough to get an upgrade to the first-class section of the plane!" Whether a noun or a verb, this word commonly used to refer to electronic equipment, particularly computers and smartphones. If a company upgrades the network in their offices, they purchase new computers or improve internet connection speeds. The original meaning of the noun upgrade was "sloping up," as in a steep hill.

Example Sentences

“I was born the same year as YouTube,” says Kane Parsons, the precocious filmmaker about to upgrade from online-only fame to big-screen recognition.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

I assume you’re going to live in this new home for the next 20-odd years, and that you have the means to upgrade without degrading your retirement fund.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

A US government agency, the Development Finance Corporation, provided a roughly $550-million loan to LAR to upgrade the railway and scale up mineral transport.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

While the company anticipates performance to be heavily weighted toward the second half, current consensus remains more conservative on revenue growth, suggesting its latest results haven’t yet justified an upgrade to full-year forecasts, RBC says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

For one thing, Aimee and I zeroed in on skills I needed to upgrade, not just on the vault but also on bars, beam, and floor.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

• boost
• enhance
• increase
• promote
• raise