downgrade — to reduce to a lower grade, rank, or level of importance
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to reduce to a lower grade, rank, or level of importance
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdaʊnɡreɪd/
Example Sentences
- My phone automatically downgraded to an older version and now it can't run my favorite cat video app!
- The hotel downgraded our room from ocean view to parking lot view.
- After eating that expired sandwich, I had to downgrade my lunch rating from 'delicious' to 'regrettable mistake'.
downgrade
VERB[/ˈdaʊnɡreɪd/]
to reduce to a lower grade, rank, or level of importance
The airline had to downgrade her seat from business to economy at the last minute.
The promotion parade gets a downgrade while rivals upgrade!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
A compound word formed from 'down' (Old English 'dūne' meaning toward a lower position) and 'grade' (Latin 'gradus' meaning step or degree). The combined term emerged in the mid-20th century to describe reducing something to a lower rank or quality.
Breakdown
down (toward lower position) + grade (step/degree/rank)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My phone automatically downgraded to an older version and now it can't run my favorite cat video app!”
“The hotel downgraded our room from ocean view to parking lot view.”
“After eating that expired sandwich, I had to downgrade my lunch rating from 'delicious' to 'regrettable mistake'.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.