What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
update
Example
I need to update my phone's software to fix some bugs. [update: verb]
Example
The news website provides regular updates on the latest events. [updates: noun]
upgrade
Example
I want to upgrade my computer's hardware to improve its performance. [upgrade: verb]
Example
The hotel offered us an upgrade to a suite for free. [upgrade: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Update is more commonly used than upgrade in everyday language, as it is a more frequent and smaller change. Upgrade is used less often but is still an important term in technology and business contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between update and upgrade?
Upgrade is generally considered more formal than update, as it often involves a larger investment of time and money. Update can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
