upgrade
verb [ T ]
uk/ʌpˈɡreɪd/ usto improve something so that it works better or is more effective:
It's quite simple to upgrade the indexing software.
All the entrances to the building have been upgraded with ramps and handrails.
IT
to get new computers or other equipment that is better than you had before:
So much of our business is now online we had to upgrade our entire system.
The network is being upgraded.
HR
to give a person a more important job or to state that their job is more important than it was before:
upgrade sb to sth Congratulations, I hear you've been upgraded to divisional manager.
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downgrade verb
FINANCE
to state that something such as a company is likely to produce more profit or growth, to be better able to pay back debt, etc. than was previously thought:
upgrade a forecast/outlook/expectation Analysts had hoped to upgrade their earnings forecasts for the group.
upgrade a rating/status The retailer's stock hit a 52-week high after Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating on the company.
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downgrade verb
TRANSPORT
to get better travel arrangements than you originally paid for:
upgrade sth (from sth) to sth Our plane tickets were upgraded to business class.
We will upgrade your rental car from mid-size to full-size.
upgrade
noun [ C ]
uk/ˈʌpɡreɪd/ usan improvement in something:
All our office furniture needs a major upgrade.
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downgrade
IT
a piece of software or equipment that improves how well a computer or machine works:
The basic software is free but you pay for any upgrades.
an upgrade to sth The upgrade to version 5.0 costs $395.
better travel arrangements than you originally paid for:
an upgrade to sth We got a free upgrade to first class!