upgrade English · revision 6532

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1847}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈʌp.ɡɹeɪd/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[up]] and [[grade]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An upward slope: 1847 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) 1873 in MWU;^(MWU 2024) SOED marks it as originally American (late 19th century).^(SOED 2002) ''On the upgrade'', improving, follows.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb, to raise to a higher grade or rank, is from 1901–04,^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) and to raise the grade or status of a job from 1920.^(OED 1989) To raise equipment or facilities to a higher standard is from 1935, to improve generally from 1959, and the intransitive use from 1950.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The noun, an improved version, as of software, is from 1980,^(Etymonline) and a move to a better class of seat or room is also an upgrade.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1847 – an upward slope.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1901 – to raise in grade.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1935 – to improve equipment.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1980 – an upgraded version.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To raise to a higher standard, especially by adding or replacing parts.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To move someone to a better seat, room or class, or to a higher rank.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An act of upgrading, or an improved version of something, especially [[software]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An upward slope.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[upgradable]]

+ * [[upgradability]]

+ * [[upgrader]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[grade]]

+ * [[downgrade]]

+ * [[update]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}