English Reference
Adjective

upscale

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈəpˌskeɪɫ/ UK /ˈʌpskeɪl/ up·scale Television

adj.expensive, high quality, and designed for people with a lot of money.

adj.relating to or appealing to affluent consumers; high-end in quality and price. Often used to describe neighborhoods, restaurants, or consumer goods.


SIMPLE

They opened an upscale restaurant in the city center.

CONTEXTUAL

The developer transformed the old warehouse into upscale apartments for young professionals.

COMPLEX

While the brand was originally known for budget-friendly basics, its recent shift toward upscale materials has alienated some of its long-term customer base.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; can also follow linking verbs like 'become' or 'look'.


From up + scale, 1966 (adjective), 1963 (verb).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated