Words / B2

up-GRAYD/ʌpˈɡreɪd/

To upgrade is to improve to a better standard: upgrade software; upgrade a ticket; an upgrade (noun). Update (already in the dictionary) can be smaller; improve is everyday. Downgrade is the opposite. Stress: verb often /ʌpˈɡreɪd/, noun often /ˈʌpɡreɪd/. Do not call a bug-fix a major upgrade if it is only a patch.

Meaning

To improve something to a better standard; as a noun, that improvement.

Examples

• “The trust will upgrade the scanning equipment this year.”
• “Passengers paid for an upgrade, which is the travel-noun sense.”

Good to know

upgrade equipment / software; an upgrade. Smaller: update / patch. Everyday: improve. Opposite: downgrade. Stress may differ for noun vs verb.

Near in meaning

improve

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