Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense upgrades, present participle upgrading, past tense, past participle upgradedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (ʌpgreɪd). The noun is pronounced (ʌpgreɪd).
1. verb [usually passive]
If equipment or services are upgraded, they are improved or made more efficient.
Helicopters have been upgraded and modernized. [beVERB-ed]
Medical facilities are being reorganized and upgraded. [beVERB-ed]
...upgraded catering facilities. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: improve, better, update, reform More Synonyms of upgrade
Upgrade is also a noun.
...equipment which needs expensive upgrades.
...upgrades in the level of security. [+ in]
2. verb [usually passive]
If someone is upgraded, their job or status is changed so that they become more important or receive more money.
He was upgraded to security guard. [beVERB-ed + to]
Synonyms: promote, raise, advance, boost More Synonyms of upgrade
3. verb
If you upgrade or are upgraded, you change something such as your air ticket or your hotel room to one that is more expensive.
You can upgrade from self-catering accommodation to a hotel. [VERB]
[Also VERB noun]
upgrade in British English
verb (ʌpˈɡreɪd)(transitive)
1.
to improve or update (something, such as an electronic device)
2.
to assign or promote (a person or job) to a higher professional rank or position
3.
to raise in standard, value, importance, etc
4.
to improve (a breed of livestock) by crossing with a better strain
noun (ˈʌpˌɡreɪd)
5.
an improved or updated version of something
6. US and Canadian
an upward slope
7. on the upgrade
adjective
8. US and Canadian
going or sloping upwards
adverb (ˈʌpˈɡreɪd)
9. US and Canadian
up an incline, hill, or slope
Derived forms
upgrader (upˈgrader)
noun
upgrade in American English
(ˈʌpˌgreɪd; for v. ʌpˈgreɪd; ˈʌpˌgreɪd)
US
noun
1.
an upward slope, esp. in a road
2.
an improvement in or enhancement of the condition, status, etc. of a person or thing
3.
something that has been improved or enhanced
adjective, adverb
4.
uphill; upward
verb transitiveWord forms: upˈgraded or upˈgrading
5.
to promote to a more skilled job at higher pay
6.
to raise in importance, value, esteem, etc.
verb intransitive
7.
to enhance or improve one's condition, status, capabilities, etc.
Idioms:
on the upgrade
upgrade in Hospitality
(ʌpgreɪd)
Word forms: (present) upgrades, (past) upgraded, (perfect) upgraded, (progressive) upgrading
verb (transitive) (intransitive)
(Hospitality (hotel): Reservations and checking in and out)
If you upgrade or are upgraded, you change your hotel room to one that is more expensive.
You can upgrade to a larger room with a bath and views of the sea.
The guest was upgraded from a standard room to a superior room.
When the guest complained about the size of the room, the manager upgraded her to a larger one.
Examples of 'upgrade' in a sentence
upgrade
The firewalls were also replaced and upgraded.
Computing (2010)
We joked about it after getting the initial upgrade and thought we might end up with gold.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The electronic information signs on board the trains will also be upgraded.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is an opportunity for those that really want the upgrade to get to the front of the queue.
Computing (2010)
Last year 200 million was provided to upgrade buildings and equipment.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If booking online, you will have the opportunity to book and pay for your upgrade if available.
The Sun (2017)
While the prices might seem steep, upgrading a hotel at the remotest place on earth is an expensive business.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Economists recently upgraded their forecasts for the UK economy.
The Sun (2016)
All upgrades are available from next month.
The Sun (2010)
Smaller cinema chains that have spent millions upgrading their equipment are crying foul most loudly.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The women are already guaranteed silver and an upgrade to business class on the flight home.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
All you have to do is persuade the hotel to upgrade you.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The only solution was to invest in upgrading the system.
John Cassidy DOT.CON (2001)
We are upgrading forecasts and see current share price weakness as a good opportunity to buy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The tatty disgrace of an arrivals hall is also being upgraded.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The school has a rolling plan for upgrading its computer network.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The government has insisted that the improvements were security upgrades.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It requires only a relatively small upgrade of the network.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You may also have to upgrade the software on your phone.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Prices based on garden bungalow with free room upgrade.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The points are more for upgrades to business class than free flights.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
My wife is very good about pushing for me to get an upgrade.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You should use this knowledge to your advantage by leaning toward companies that have recently received recommendation upgrades.
Mitchel Zacks AHEAD OF THE MARKET (2003)
Priced based on standard ticket, first class upgrade also available.
The Sun (2010)
Britain is buying fewer expensive phones, upgrading less and hunting out better deals.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This price based on budget tickets, upgrades also available.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Money is earned through trade, mining or theft and used to upgrade your equipment or ship.
The Sun (2015)
The MoD said that the vehicle hit had received a recent upgrade to its bomb defences.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He was expected to fly club class but was upgraded to first before take-off.
The Sun (2008)
Our bargain price of 9.50 each is amazing value but for a little more you can upgrade your accommodation.
The Sun (2016)
In other languages
upgrade
British English: upgrade VERB
If equipment or services are upgraded, they are improved or made more efficient.
Helicopters have been upgraded and modernized.
American English: upgrade
Brazilian Portuguese: melhorar
Chinese: 升级
European Spanish: mejorar
French: améliorer
German: verbessern
Italian: migliorare
Japanese: グレードアップする
Korean: 개선되다
European Portuguese: melhorar
Latin American Spanish: mejorar
Chinese translation of 'upgrade'
upgrade
(vbʌpˈɡreɪd; nˈʌpɡreɪd)
vt
[computer etc]使升级(級) (shǐ shēngjí)
[employee]提升 (tíshēng)
n(c)
升级(級) (shēngjí)
to upgrade sth/sb to sth将(將)某物升级(級)为(為)某物/将(將)某人升为(為)某职(職) (jiāng mǒuwù shēngjí wéi mǒuwù/jiāng mǒurén shēngwéi mǒuzhí)
an upgrade to sth提升到某个(個)等级(級) (tíshēngdào mǒu gè děngjí)
1 (verb)
Definition
to raise in value, importance, or esteem
Medical facilities are being reorganized and upgraded.
Synonyms
improve
He improved their house.
better
Our parents came here with the hope of bettering themselves.
update
an updated edition of the book
reform
his plans to reform the country's economy
add to
enhance
They want to enhance their reputation abroad.
refurbish
We have spent money on refurbishing the offices.
renovate
They spent thousands renovating the house.
remodel
make better
modernize
There is a pressing need to modernize our electoral system.
spruce up
ameliorate
Nothing can be done to ameliorate the situation.
2 (verb)
Definition
to promote a person or job to a higher rank
He was upgraded to security guard.
Synonyms
promote
I was promoted to editor and then editorial director.
raise
She was to be raised to the rank of ambassador.
advance
He was busy advancing other people's work.
boost
They need to take action to boost sales.
move up
elevate
He was elevated to the post of Prime Minister.
kick upstairs (informal)
give promotion to
Opposites
degrade,
downgrade
,
demote
,
lower
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advance
Definition
to further a cause
He was busy advancing other people's work.
Synonyms
promote,
help,
further,
aid,
forward,
champion,
push,
encourage,
assist,
plug (informal),
pave the way for,
hasten,
patronize,
succour,
lend support to
in the sense of ameliorate
Definition
to make (something) better
Nothing can be done to ameliorate the situation.
Synonyms
improve,
better,
benefit,
reform,
advance,
promote,
amend,
elevate,
raise,
mend,
mitigate,
make better,
assuage,
meliorate
in the sense of better
Definition
to improve upon
Our parents came here with the hope of bettering themselves.
Synonyms
improve,
further,
raise,
forward,
reform,
advance,
promote,
correct,
enhance,
upgrade,
amend,
mend,
rectify,
augment,
ameliorate,
meliorate
Synonyms of 'upgrade'
upgrade
Explore 'upgrade' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boost
Definition
to cause to rise
They need to take action to boost sales.
Synonyms
increase,
develop,
raise,
expand,
add to,
build up,
heighten,
enlarge,
inflate,
magnify,
amplify,
augment,
jack up
in the sense of elevate
Definition
to raise in rank or status
He was elevated to the post of Prime Minister.
Synonyms
promote,
raise,
advance,
upgrade,
exalt,
kick upstairs (informal),
aggrandize,
give advancement to
in the sense of enhance
Definition
to improve or increase in quality, value, or power
They want to enhance their reputation abroad.
Synonyms
improve,
better,
increase,
raise,
lift,
boost,
add to,
strengthen,
reinforce,
swell,
intensify,
heighten,
elevate,
magnify,
augment,
exalt,
embellish,
ameliorate
in the sense of modernize
Definition
to make modern in style, methods, or equipment
There is a pressing need to modernize our electoral system.
Synonyms
update,
renew,
revamp,
remake,
renovate,
remodel,
rejuvenate,
make over,
face-lift,
bring up to date,
rebrand
in the sense of raise
Definition
to advance in rank
She was to be raised to the rank of ambassador.
Synonyms
promote,
upgrade,
elevate,
advance,
prefer,
exalt,
aggrandize
in the sense of reform
Definition
to improve (a law or institution) by correcting abuses