Upscale

/ʌpˈskeɪl/

verbmedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To improve the quality or value of something.

/ʌpˈskeɪl/

verbneutralmedium
General

To improve or upgrade something.

The hotel plans to upscale its amenities to attract a wealthier clientele.

💡 Simply: To make something fancier, better, and more expensive! Like when you decide to add a fancy TV to your living room, that's upscaling your entertainment.

👶 For kids: To make something better or more special.

More Examples

2

The renovation project aimed to upscale the property's overall value.

3

The company has decided to upscale its marketing efforts with a new advertising campaign.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is hoping to upscale its customer service operations."

Real Estate

"They decided to upscale their existing home instead of moving."

2

High-end; catering to affluent consumers.

/ʌpˈskeɪl/

adjectivepositivemedium
Business

Relating to or characteristic of a higher social or economic level.

The city is known for its upscale restaurants and boutiques.

💡 Simply: Fancy, expensive, and of high quality! Like an upscale restaurant where everything is top-notch and costs a lot. Or, the fancy clothing store with the sparkly window displays!

👶 For kids: Special and fancy.

More Examples

2

The company is targeting the upscale market with its new product line.

3

She chose an upscale hotel for her vacation.

How It's Used

Retail

"The store specializes in upscale clothing and accessories."

Real Estate

"They live in an upscale neighborhood with luxury homes."

Tip:Think of things 'up' on the scale of quality and price.

From "up" + "scale", reflecting the idea of increasing the level or quality of something. The term gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in business and marketing.

The term became more prevalent in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of consumer culture and the desire for higher-quality goods and services.

Memory tip

Imagine climbing a scale; you are going 'up' the scale, making things better.

Word Origin

LanguageEnglish
Original meaning

"To raise or improve in quality."

upscale restaurantupscale neighborhoodupscale marketupscale hotelupscale clothing

Common misspellings

up scale

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written