upgrade
noun · verb · adverb
Simple meaning
An improved component or replacement item, usually applied to technology.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
uhpgraydSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
əpɡˈɹeɪd
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
An improved component or replacement item, usually applied to technology.
A reservation that is improved
“I got an upgrade to first class when coach class was full.”
An improvement.
An upward slope or grade (as in a road)
verb
transitive
To improve, usually applied to technology, generally by complete replacement of one or more components.
transitive
To replace with something better.
transitive
To improve the equipment or furnishings of or services rendered to.
intransitive
To improve in condition or status.
Rate higher; raise in value or esteem
adverb
Up a slope or grade.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A2 · Elementary
- Frequency
- Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: An improved component or replacement item, usually applied to technology.
Used this way, upgrade is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use upgrade
- “I got an upgrade to first class when coach class was full.”noun
- “The power plant received a new upgrade.”noun
- “I've upgraded my computer so I can run better software.”verb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.