upgrade

/ˌʌpˈɡreɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌpˈɡreɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈəp-ˌgrād/ (ame, mw) · /ˈʌp.ɡreɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌp.ɡreɪd/ (ame, ipa)

upgrade — verb

  • upgrade,present simple I / you / we / they
  • upgradepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • upgrades,he / she / it
  • upgradeshe / she / it
  • upgraded,past simple
  • upgradedpast simple
  • upgrading,-ing form
  • upgrading-ing form

1. to make something better or replace it with a newer version so that it works, pe

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to make something better or replace it with a newer version so that it works, performs, or looks at a higher standard — for example, upgrading a factory's machines, a website's software, or a phone's operating system so they can do more than before.

例句

The hospital upgraded its X-ray machines to digital models that produce clearer images.

upgrade + object + to + newer version

Vivek upgraded the software on his laptop to fix several security problems.

同義詞
  • improve

    more general; upgrade implies replacing with something newer, not just making the same thing better

  • modernise

    focuses on bringing up to date rather than raising performance

  • enhance

    more formal; can apply to abstract qualities like reputation or experience

反義詞
  • downgrade

    move to a lower-quality or older version

文法句型

upgrade + noun phrase (object)

be upgraded with/to + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used in technical or business contexts when discussing equipment, software, or infrastructure. The passive form is common when focusing on the result rather than who did the action.

常見錯誤

❌I upgraded my phone to a new model yesterday.' (fine for this sense)
✅I upgraded my phone to a new model yesterday.
💡this sense covers replacing the whole item, not just improving the old one.

2. to give a passenger or guest a better seat, room, or service than what they orig

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to give a passenger or guest a better seat, room, or service than what they originally paid for, often without charging extra money — for example, moving someone from economy to business class on a plane.

例句

The airline upgraded Felipe to business class after his flight was delayed by five hours.

upgrade + person + to + class/room type

Anya was upgraded to a honeymoon suite when she arrived for her anniversary trip.

passive: be upgraded to [type of room]

同義詞
  • promote

    for job rank, not travel service

  • bump up

    informal; 'The airline bumped us up to business class'

反義詞

文法句型

upgrade + someone + to + noun phrase

be upgraded to + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is usually an airline, hotel, or company representative. The thing received (seat class, room type) follows 'to'. Frequently used in the passive: 'We were upgraded.'

常見錯誤

❌The hotel upgraded us for a better room.
✅The hotel upgraded us to a better room.
💡use 'to', not 'for', to introduce the improved item.

3. to buy or move to a newer or better version of something you already own or use,

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to buy or move to a newer or better version of something you already own or use, especially electronic devices, vehicles, software, or service plans.

例句

Tuan upgraded from a bicycle to a motor scooter for his daily commute.

upgrade from [old] to [new]

Zuri upgraded from the free version of the editing app to the professional subscription.

同義詞
  • move up to

    slightly informal; 'move up to a larger phone'

  • switch to

    implies changing rather than necessarily getting something better

反義詞
  • stick with

    keep the current version rather than changing

文法句型

upgrade from + noun phrase + to + noun phrase

用法筆記

Intransitive — the object is the thing being moved away from ('from') or towards ('to'). Unlike sense 1, the focus is on the user's action of acquiring something better rather than improving what they already have.

常見錯誤

❌I upgraded to a new laptop.' — this is correct for sense 3.
✅The focus here is on the user getting a better thing for themselves, not on the quality of the thing being improved.

upgrade — noun