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upscale - 3 dictionary results

up⋅scale

[adj. uhp-skeyl; v. uhp-skeyl; n. uhp-skeyl] adjective, verb, -scaled, -scal⋅ing, noun Informal.
–adjective
1. located at, moving toward, or of or for the upper end of a social or economic scale: The boutique caters to upscale young career people.
2. luxurious, costly, or elegant.
–verb (used with object)
3. to improve the quality, value, or rating of: a five-year plan to upscale the neighborhood.
–noun
4. (used with a plural verb) elegant, elite, privileged persons collectively (usually prec. by the): shops that only the upscale can afford to patronize.

Origin:
1970–75, Americanism; up- + scale 3
up·scale   (ŭp'skāl')   
adj.  Of, intended for, or relating to high-income consumers: an upscale neighborhood; upscale fashions.
tr.v.   also (ŭp-skāl') up·scaled, up·scal·ing, up·scales
  1. To raise to a higher level; upgrade.
  2. To redesign or market for higher-income consumers: "the upscaling of TV dinners [to] savory, low-calorie entrées" (Bernice Kanner).

upscale  (adj.)
1966, "at the higher end of a scale, superior," from up + noun derivative of scale (v.).
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