Added 9 October 2026
upgrade
/ˈʌp.ɡɹeɪd/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about upgrade at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- An upward grade or slope.
-
An improved component or replacement item, usually applied to technology.
With my phone company, I get a free upgrade every twelve months if I keep topping up 10 pounds a month.
-
An improvement.
The remarried couples among my friends often joke that their divorce and remarriage amounted to an upgrade.
verb
-
To improve, usually applied to technology, generally by complete replacement of one or more components.
When you upgrade your standard of living, you become addicted to that standard of living.
-
To replace with something better.
I had to upgrade my anti-virus software to protect my computer from the newer threats.
-
To improve the equipment or furnishings of or services rendered to.
They upgraded him to the latest model.
adverb
Origin
From up- + grade.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)