How to pronounce upgrade
Say it like UHP-GRAYD. Upgrade has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHP).
- UHP
- GRAYD
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Upgrade pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- UHPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- GRAYDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of upgrade
American and British speakers say upgrade in essentially the same way: /ˈʌpˈɡreɪd/ in the US and /ˈʌpˌɡreɪd/ in the UK.
British respelling: UHP-grayd.
Other ways to say upgrade
Upgrade also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- up-GRAYD /əpˈɡreɪd/
What does upgrade mean?
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Up a slope or grade.
Where does upgrade come from?
From up- + grade.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with upgrade
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of upgrade.
Questions about saying upgrade
How do you pronounce upgrade?
Say UHP-GRAYD. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌpˈɡreɪd/. In British English it is /ˈʌpˌɡreɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in upgrade?
Upgrade has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHP). Broken into parts: UHP · GRAYD.
Do Americans and Brits say upgrade the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈʌpˈɡreɪd/ and the British form is /ˈʌpˌɡreɪd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.