Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *upó
Proto-Germanic *ub
Proto-Germanic *upp
Proto-West Germanic *upp
Old English upp
Middle English up
English up
From Middle English up, op, oup, from Old English upp, up, ūp (“up”), from Proto-West Germanic *upp, *ūp, from Proto-Germanic *upp, *eup (“up”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian ap (“up”), West Frisian op (“up”), Dutch op (“up”), German Low German up, op (“up”), German auf (“up”), Danish op (“up”), Swedish upp (“up”), Icelandic upp (“up”), Gothic 𐌹𐌿𐍀 (iup, “up”).
Meanings
(not-comparable) Facing upwards.
Turn the cloth over so that the patterned side is up.
Suppose that we roll a fair die and flip a fair coin in a game that awards 10 dollars whenever one pip shows on the up face of the die and 2 dollars whenever a head shows on the up side of the coin. 1983, Gary E. Meek, Stephen J. Turner, Statistical Analysis for Business Decisions, page 41:
(not-comparable) On or at a physically higher level.
The flood waters are up again across large areas of the country.
(not-comparable) Headed or designated to go upward (as an escalator, stairway, elevator etc.) or toward (as a run-up).
Where is the up escalator?
(not-comparable) Fitted or fixed at a high or relatively high position, especially on a wall or ceiling.
The Christmas decorations are up.
All the notices are up now.
(broadly, not-comparable) Available to view or use; made public; posted.
Is your new video up yet? I looked on the website, but I couldn't find it.
(not-comparable) Aloft.
The kite is up!
(not-comparable) Raised; lifted.
Don't go into the living room just now – I've got the carpet up.
The castle drawbridge was up.
(Australia, not-comparable) Of a river, in flood or at a high level.
In the late afternoon we rode among the fine trees of the Barker, which was ‘up’ too, but not so strongly as the Lennard. 1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 9:
(not-comparable) Built, constructed.
Are the new buildings up yet?
(not-comparable) Standing; upright.
The audience were up and on their feet.
(not-comparable, obsolete) Risen up, rebelling, in revolt.
The fearefull newes that whilſt the flame doth but begin,
Sad pollicie may ſerue to quench the fire:
The Commons nowe are vp in Kent, let vs not ſuffer this firſt attempt too farre. 1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], →OCLC, Act I:
(not-comparable) Awake and out of bed.
I can’t believe it’s 3 a.m. and you’re still up.
So if you find yourself regularly up late at night, basking in the TV's glow, you might be doing more than just depriving yourself of sleep. 2025 December 9, Veronique Greenwood, “Your Bedroom Probably Isn't Dark Enough”, in TIME:
(not-comparable) Riding the horse; mounted.
(not-comparable, of the sun or moon) Above the horizon, in the sky.
It'll get warmer once the sun's up.
I have said I was still in darkness, yet it was not the blackness of the last night; and looking up into the inside of the tomb above, I could see the faintest line of light at one corner, which showed the sun was up. [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC:
(not-comparable) Larger; greater in quantity, volume, value etc.
Sales are up compared to last quarter.
My temperature is up this morning.
(not-comparable) Indicating a larger or higher quantity.
The barometer is up, so fine weather should be on the way.
(not-comparable) Ahead; leading; winning.
The home team were up by two goals at half-time.
(not-comparable, predicative) Finished, at an end.
Time is up!
Her contract is up next month, so it's time to negotiate another one.
(not-comparable) In a good mood.
I’m feeling up today.
(not-comparable, qualifier:usually in the phrase up for) Willing; ready.
If you are up for a trip, let’s go.
(not-comparable) Next in a sequence.
Smith is up to bat.
(not-comparable, predicative) Happening; new; of concern. See also what's up, what's up with.
When I saw his face, I knew something was up.
What's up, bro?
What is up with that project at headquarters?
(not-comparable, postpositional) Said of the higher-ranking pair in a two pair.
AAKK = aces up
QQ33 = queens up
(not-comparable) Well-informed; current.
I’m not up on the latest news. What’s going on?
(not-comparable) Functional; working.
Is the server back up?
(not-comparable, of a railway line or train) Traveling towards a major terminus.
The London train is on the up line.
(US, not-comparable) Chilled and served without ice; (often specifically) shaken with ice and then strained into a coupe for serving, leaving the ice behind.
Would you like that drink up or on ice?
(not-comparable, slang) Erect.
(UK, dated, not-comparable) At university (especially Oxford or Cambridge).
When I was up (1965–68) I had a group of idle friends who occupied their time and mine betting on horses, getting drunk and sprawling about telling creepy tales. 2002, Philip Pullman, “Dreaming of Spires”, in Daemon Voices, Vintage, published 2017, page 98:
(not-comparable, slang) Well-known; renowned.
Won by Park Top (Lester Piggott up), at Epsom on June 5, 1969 2003, Nicolas Barker, The Devonshire Inheritance: Five Centuries of Collecting at Chatsworth:
Being "up" means having numerous graffiti in the tagging landscape. 1996, Matthew Busby Hunt, The Sociolinguistics of Tagging and Chicano Gang Graffiti, page 71:
From his great rooftop pieces, selected for high visibility, to his sneaky tags and fun loving stickers, he most certainly knows how to get up. 2011, Adam Melnyk, Visual Orgasm: The Early Years of Canadian Graffiti:
Graffiti writers want their names seen by writers and others so that they will be famous. Therefore writers are very serious about any opportunity to “get up.” […] The throw-up became one of the fundamental techniques for getting up, and thereby gaining recognition and fame. 2009, Gregory J. Snyder, Graffiti Lives: Beyond the Tag in New York's Urban Underground, pages 16–40:
Antonyms
down (antonym(s) of) · down (antonym(s) of “on a higher level”) · down (antonym(s) of “facing upwards”) · down (antonym(s) of “traveling towards a major terminus”)
ja 気が向いている (ready, willing) · es próximo (next) · zza anvero (diq) (erect) · nl in orde (functional) · es listo (ready, willing) · nl opgewekt (in a good mood) · es en marcha (functional) · no klar (ready, willing) · no i tur (next) · ja 終わり (finished) · da oppe (awake) · nl functioneel (functional) · de aus (finished) · fi toiminnassa (functional) · no oppe (available) · nl stijf (erect) · sw maliza (finished) · sw juu (informed about) · fi seisomassa (standing) · es hacia arriba (facing upwards) · pt pronto (ready, willing) · de alle (finished) · hu fent (awake) · fi ylempänä (on a higher level) · pt de pé (standing) · fi loppu (finished) · mk разбуден (awake) · fi korkeampana (on a higher level) · pt virado para cima (facing upwards) · no oppdatert (informed about) · de auf (standing) · no oppe (awake) · mk станат (standing) · pt em cima (on a higher level) · fi ylöspäin (facing upwards) · de bereit (ready, willing) · sw patikana (available) · da med forsiden opad (facing upwards) · ja 良い (in a good mood) · fi seuraavana (next) · nl met ... omhoog (facing upwards) · ja 起きている (awake) · nl op (standing) · mk истечен (finished) · es en pie (standing) · sv med (informed about) · mk расонет (awake) · nl bereid (ready, willing) · pt bem (in a good mood) · no med ... opp (facing upwards) · sw juu (functional) · sw simama (standing) · ja 上を向けて (facing upwards) · pt a par (informed about) · he ערה (awake) · no oppe (functional) · sv upp (standing) · fi seisomaan (standing) · ms habis (finished) · da med (informed about) · sw juu (on a higher level) · fi valveilla (awake) · fi ylhäällä (functional) · es terminado (finished) · nl klaar (ready, willing) · sw amka (awake) · zza acor (awake) · nl aan de beurt (next) · nl mee (informed about) · de hoch (facing upwards) · no opp (standing) · de zu Ende (finished) · fr au garde-à-vous (erect) · ja 上がっている (informed about) · fr debout (awake) · fr en marche (functional) · no oppesen (in a good mood) · ja 控えている (next) · sw juu (rail transport: traveling towards a major terminus) · cs nahoře (in a good mood) · sw tabamu (in a good mood) · no utgående (rail transport: traveling towards a major terminus) · sv uppe (available) · sv med ... uppåt (facing upwards) · sv uppe (awake) · sw kubali (ready, willing) · nl op (awake) · fi hereillä (awake) · fr levé (awake) · no oppe (on a higher level) · nl aan (next) · pt por dentro (informed about) · ms tamat (finished) · fr debout (standing) · no ute (finished) · pt ereto (erect) · de auf (awake) · de an (functional) · he ער (awake) · de beendet (finished) · ms riang (in a good mood) · de um (finished) · sw ingine (next) · sv uppdaterad (informed about) · de oben (on a higher level) · fr partant (ready, willing) · da oppe (functional) · nl op (finished) · sw juu (facing upwards) · nl beschikbaar (available) · pt acabado (finished) · de munter (awake) · fi saatavilla (available) · ja 上に (standing) · pt próximo (next) · fi ajan tasalla (informed about) · pt acordado (awake) · de dran (next) · ja 上り方向に (rail transport: traveling towards a major terminus) · es acabado (finished) · fi iloinen (in a good mood) · cs vzhůru (awake) · lv augšā (awake) · de in Betrieb (functional) · no med (informed about) · pt em pé (standing)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *upó
Proto-Germanic *ub
Proto-Germanic *upp
Proto-West Germanic *upp
Old English upp
Middle English up
English up
From Middle English up, op, oup, from Old English upp, up, ūp (“up”), from Proto-West Germanic *upp, *ūp, from Proto-Germanic *upp, *eup (“up”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian ap (“up”), West Frisian op (“up”), Dutch op (“up”), German Low German up, op (“up”), German auf (“up”), Danish op (“up”), Swedish upp (“up”), Icelandic upp (“up”), Gothic 𐌹𐌿𐍀 (iup, “up”).
Meanings
Toward the top of.
Her eyes scanned up and down the page.
Judge Short had gone to town, and Farrar was off for a three days' cruise up the lake. I was bitterly regretting I had not gone with him when the distant notes of a coach horn reached my ear, and I descried a four-in-hand winding its way up the inn road from the direction of Mohair. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
The cat climbed up the tree.
They walk up the steps.
Toward the center, source, or main point of reference; toward the end at which something is attached.
I felt something crawling up my arm.
The information made its way up the chain of command to the general.
From south to north of.
We sailed up the East Coast of England from Ipswich to South Shields.
Though the storm raged up the East Coast, it has become increasingly apparent that New Jersey took the brunt of it. 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, New York Times, retrieved 31 Oct 2012:
Further along (in any direction).
Go up the street until you see the sign.
From the mouth towards the source of (a river or waterway).
He led an expedition up the Amazon.
(slang, vulgar) Of a person: having sex with.
Phwoar, look at that bird. I'd love to be up her.
(colloquial) At (a given place, especially one imagined to be higher or more distant from a central location).
“I'll tell you how I got on in the fight if I should see you up the Smokers.” 2016, Alan Moore, Jerusalem, Liveright, published 2016, page 94:
oc sus (toward the top) · gd a-nuas (toward the top) · fr vers le haut (toward the top) · no oppover (toward the top) · fi ylös (toward the top) · mwl alhá riba (toward the top) · pt alto (toward the top) · nl omhoog (toward the top) · oc subre (toward the top) · no oppover (further along) · fi pitkin (further along) · ru наве́рх (toward the top) · sw juu (toward the top) · ms ke atas (toward the top) · da op i (toward the top) · la super (toward the top) · el πάνω (toward the top) · sv uppåt (toward the top) · de weiter (further along) · sv längs (further along) · pl w górę (toward the top) · gd a-nìos (toward the top) · mi ake (toward the top) · la supra (toward the top) · nv dei (toward the top) · cy i fyny (toward the top) · ru да́льше (further along) · nl op (toward the top) · ru вве́рх (toward the top) · ms naik (toward the top) · pt adiante (further along) · zza anvero (diq) (toward the top) · nl langs (further along) · pt no alto (toward the top) · pl do góry (toward the top) · fo upp eftir (toward the top) · ga suas (toward the top) · lv augšup (toward the top) · gd suas (toward the top) · de hinauf (toward the top) · pt para o alto (toward the top) · ckb سەرەوە (toward the top) · cy lan (toward the top) · nv de (toward the top) · ja 上に (toward the top) · fr monter (toward the top) · da op ad (further along) · ca dalt (toward the top) · he למעלה (toward the top) · sw mbali (further along) · es hacia arriba (toward the top) · de herauf (toward the top) · he מעלה (toward the top) · ar لِأَعْلَى (toward the top) · gd suas (further along) · de hoch (toward the top) · km ទៅខាងលើ (toward the top)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *upó
Proto-Germanic *ub
Proto-Germanic *upp
Proto-West Germanic *upp
Old English upp
Middle English up
English up
From Middle English up, op, oup, from Old English upp, up, ūp (“up”), from Proto-West Germanic *upp, *ūp, from Proto-Germanic *upp, *eup (“up”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian ap (“up”), West Frisian op (“up”), Dutch op (“up”), German Low German up, op (“up”), German auf (“up”), Danish op (“up”), Swedish upp (“up”), Icelandic upp (“up”), Gothic 𐌹𐌿𐍀 (iup, “up”).
Meanings
(not-comparable) Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position. ▸ Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.
Shoots grow up and roots grow down.
I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.
(not-comparable) Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position. ▸ To or at a physically higher or more elevated position.
Lift the carpet up and look underneath.
He lives up in the hills.
All day we climbed up and up.
1925, Walter Anthony and Tom Reed (titles), Rupert Julian (director), The Phantom of the Opera, silent movie
‘The Phantom! The Phantom is up from the cellars again!’
(not-comparable) Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position. ▸ To an upright or erect position.
sit up; stand up; get up out of bed
(figuratively, not-comparable) Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position. ▸ To a higher level of some quantity or notional quantity, such as price, volume, pitch, happiness, etc.
Cheer up, the weekend's almost here.
Listen to your voice go up at the end of a question.
Gold has gone up with the uncertainty in the world markets.
Turn it up, I can barely hear it.
(not-comparable) Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. ▸ To or towards what is considered the top of something, irrespective of whether this is presently physically higher.
As I lay on my back, a pain shot up from my toes to my chest.
Let’s move up to the front of the bus.
Go back up to the top of the page.
(not-comparable) Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. ▸ To the north (as north is at the top of typical maps).
I live in Florida, but I'm going up to New York to visit my family this weekend.
(not-comparable) Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. ▸ Towards or at a central place, or any place that is visualised as ‘up’ by virtue of local features or local convention, or arbitrarily, irrespective of direction or elevation change.
We travelled from Yorkshire up to London.
He lives up by the railway station.
I'm going up to the other end of town.
(not-comparable) Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. ▸ Towards the principal terminus, towards milepost zero.
(UK, dated, not-comparable) Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. ▸ To university, especially to Cambridge or Oxford.
A precocious mathematician, Babbage was already well versed in the Continental mathematical notations when he went up to Cambridge. 2002, Peter Harman, Cambridge Scientific Minds, page 79:
Others insinuated that women 'crowded up to Cambridge', not for the benefits of a higher education, but because of the proximity of 2,000 young men. 1998, Rita McWilliams Tullberg, Women at Cambridge, page 112:
She's going up to read Classics this September.
The son of the Dean of Lichfield was only three years older than Steele, who was a lad of only twelve, when at the age of fifteen, Addison went up to Oxford. 1867, John Timbs, Lives of wits and humourists, page 125:
(not-comparable) Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. ▸ Against the wind or current.
(not-comparable) Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. ▸ Towards the source of a river, against the direction of flow.
We started in London and rowed all the way up to Oxford.
(not-comparable, qualifier:Cartesian graph) Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. ▸ In a positive vertical direction.
(not-comparable) To or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, etc.; usually followed by to or with.
I'm going to be walking quickly, but try to keep up with me.
I was up to my chin in water.
A stranger came up and asked me for directions.
(emphatic, intensifier, not-comparable) Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state; thoroughly, completely.
Tear up the contract.
I will mix up the puzzle pieces.
Drink up. The pub is closing.
He really messed up.
The meteor burned up in the atmosphere.
Please type up our monthly report.
Can you sum up your research?
I need to sew up the hole in this shirt.
(not-comparable) To one's possession or consideration.
The committee will take up your request.
I picked up some milk on the way home.
(not-comparable) From one's possession or consideration.
Instead of apologising, he offered up excuse after excuse.
She had to give up her driver's license after the accident.
(not-comparable) Aside or away, so as no longer to be present or in use.
to lay up riches; put up your weapons
(not-comparable) Relatively close to the batsman.
The bowler pitched the ball up.
(US, not-comparable) Without additional ice.
A Cosmopolitan is typically served up.
Antonyms
down (antonym(s) of “towards the principal terminus”) · down (antonym(s) of “louder”) · down (antonym(s) of “higher in pitch”) · down (antonym(s) of “away from the centre of the Earth”)
clog up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · cuddle up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · kick up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · nut up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · eat up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · go up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · rock up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · cut up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · lookup (Terms related to up (adverb)) · cosy up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · clear up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · run up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · break up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · polish up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · gut up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · level up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · build up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · freshen up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · burn up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · buffer up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · up for (Terms related to up (adverb)) · up to (Terms related to up (adverb)) · shake up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · snuggle up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · cheese up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · look up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · cloud up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · crack up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · close up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · shut up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · back up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · cozy up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · scoop u (Terms related to up (adverb)) · up to it (Terms related to up (adverb)) · keep up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · muck up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · work up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · light up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · write up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · shoot up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · runner up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · stop up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · clean up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · curl up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · popper up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · up and at 'em (Terms related to up (adverb)) · stir up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · buck up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · lash up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · let up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · double up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · bottoms up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · gang up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · dress up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · open up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · all it's cracked up to be (Terms related to up (adverb)) · show up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · hole up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · blow up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · finish up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · studs up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · buy up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · dry up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · gang up on (Terms related to up (adverb)) · link up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · knock up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · listen up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · turn up (Terms related to up (adverb)) · wet up (Terms related to up (adverb))
sv till (completely, thoroughly) · pt acima (away from earth’s surface) · km ឡើង (away from earth’s surface) · gv neese (away from earth’s surface) · ckb سسەرەوە (away from earth’s surface) · vi lên (away from earth’s surface) · ro sus (away from earth’s surface) · mwl arriba (away from earth’s surface) · mk погласно (higher, louder) · sw juu (north) · rup sus (roa-rup) (away from earth’s surface) · grc ἄνω (away from earth’s surface) · arz فوق (away from earth’s surface) · evn угиски (away from earth’s surface) · be ўве́рсе (away from earth’s surface) · el πάνω (away from earth’s surface) · ca amunt (away from earth’s surface) · nl omhoog (higher, louder) · gd a-nìos (away from earth’s surface) · ba өҫкә (away from earth’s surface) · sk hore (away from earth’s surface) · sv uppåt (away from earth’s surface) · az yuxarıya (away from earth’s surface) · sk hore (higher, louder) · fi palasiksi (completely, thoroughly) · fr en haut (away from earth’s surface) · no opp (higher in pitch) · ja 上に (away from earth’s surface) · sw juu (away from earth’s surface) · sl gôr (away from earth’s surface) · sv itu (completely, thoroughly) · hu fel (away from earth’s surface) · cs nahoru (away from earth’s surface) · fi korkeammaksi (higher in pitch) · rm se (away from earth’s surface) · ru на ча́сти (completely, thoroughly) · no opp (north) · fi ylemmäs (higher in pitch) · scn nsusu (away from earth’s surface) · lmo sü (away from earth’s surface) · ja 北に (north) · es suso (away from earth’s surface) · sv upp (higher, louder) · fa فراز (away from earth’s surface) · rup nsusu (away from earth’s surface) · kmr silal (away from earth’s surface) · pdt nopp (away from earth’s surface) · th ขึ้น (away from earth’s surface) · nv deigo (away from earth’s surface) · ccc onojko (away from earth’s surface) · pl na górze (away from earth’s surface) · ru вы́ше (higher in pitch) · gld уйси (away from earth’s surface) · de auf- (completely, thoroughly) · it su (away from earth’s surface) · ru на куски́ (completely, thoroughly) · fi osiin (completely, thoroughly) · sah үөһэ (away from earth’s surface) · fr haut (higher in pitch) · rm si (away from earth’s surface) · nl opwaarts (away from earth’s surface) · mk повисоко (higher, louder) · uk вго́ру (away from earth’s surface) · no opp (higher, louder) · ko 위에 (away from earth’s surface) · fi ylemmäs (higher, louder) · da op (higher in pitch) · mk ис- (completely, thoroughly) · pt (para) cima (away from earth’s surface) · fi ylös (away from earth’s surface) · ru вверху́ (away from earth’s surface) · gv seose (away from earth’s surface) · nv dah (away from earth’s surface) · lmo su (away from earth’s surface) · fi murskaksi (completely, thoroughly) · sq lart (away from earth’s surface) · pt elevar (higher, louder) · uk вгорі́ (away from earth’s surface) · la sūrsum (away from earth’s surface) · da itu (completely, thoroughly) · kmr jor (away from earth’s surface) · nl omhoog (away from earth’s surface) · be ўверх (away from earth’s surface) · fo upp (away from earth’s surface) · de nach oben (away from earth’s surface) · ang uppe (away from earth’s surface) · fi pirstaleiksi (completely, thoroughly) · ar فَوْقَ (away from earth’s surface) · pt aumentar (higher in pitch) · zza zıme (diq) (north) · txb kauc (away from earth’s surface) · fa بُرز (away from earth’s surface) · sv isär (completely, thoroughly) · de ver- (completely, thoroughly) · no opp (away from earth’s surface) · vec su (away from earth’s surface) · sw juu (higher in pitch) · rup nsus (away from earth’s surface) · sv upp (away from earth’s surface) · zza cor (diq) (away from earth’s surface) · he למעלה (away from earth’s surface) · kw ughella (higher, louder) · ms ke atas (away from earth’s surface) · gd shuas (away from earth’s surface) · ru вве́рх (away from earth’s surface) · cmn 上 (away from earth’s surface) · ru наверху́ (away from earth’s surface) · vo löp (away from earth’s surface) · pt elevar (higher in pitch) · zza anvero (diq) (higher, louder) · ckb باکور (north) · cy lan (away from earth’s surface) · mr वर (away from earth’s surface) · be уве́рсе (away from earth’s surface) · es arriba (away from earth’s surface) · lt į viršų (away from earth’s surface) · ru гро́мче (higher, louder) · eu gora (away from earth’s surface) · ja 上に (higher, louder) · ga thuas (away from earth’s surface) · et üles (away from earth’s surface) · kw yn-bann (away from earth’s surface) · ar فَوْق (away from earth’s surface) · et üles (higher, louder) · mn дээш (away from earth’s surface) · fa بالا (away from earth’s surface) · da op (higher, louder) · no opp (completely, thoroughly) · rm sen (away from earth’s surface) · eve өгэски (away from earth’s surface) · he מעלה (away from earth’s surface) · pt acima (north) · ckb بەرز (higher, louder) · cs nahoře (away from earth’s surface) · fur sù (away from earth’s surface) · vec suxo (away from earth’s surface) · pl w górę (away from earth’s surface) · zza po (completely, thoroughly) · got 𐌹𐌿𐍀 (away from earth’s surface) · sv upp (higher in pitch) · pt em cima (north) · fi ylöspäin (away from earth’s surface) · hy վեր (away from earth’s surface) · da op (north) · ja 上りに (rail transport: the direction towards milepost zero) · acw فوق (away from earth’s surface) · ur اوپر (away from earth’s surface) · tr yukarıya (away from earth’s surface) · ko 위로 (away from earth’s surface) · es asuso (away from earth’s surface) · gl arriba (away from earth’s surface) · ajp فوق (away from earth’s surface) · da i stykker (completely, thoroughly) · hi ऊपर (away from earth’s surface) · ru вы́ше (higher, louder) · zza po (away from earth’s surface) · be наве́рсе (away from earth’s surface) · nl omhoog (higher in pitch) · nl ver- (completely, thoroughly) · gv heose (away from earth’s surface) · pt aumentar (higher, louder) · ast arriba (away from earth’s surface) · fa ابَر (away from earth’s surface) · mk повисоко (higher in pitch) · de er- (completely, thoroughly) · vec so (away from earth’s surface) · sv upp (completely, thoroughly) · ga in airde (away from earth’s surface) · lo ຂຶ້ນ (away from earth’s surface) · et üles (completely, thoroughly) · lad arriva (away from earth’s surface) · eo supren (away from earth’s surface) · ba юғары (away from earth’s surface) · ota یوقاری (away from earth’s surface) · gd suas (away from earth’s surface) · la con- (completely, thoroughly) · luo malo (away from earth’s surface) · lv augšā (away from earth’s surface) · zza serane (rail transport: the direction towards milepost zero) · mk из- (completely, thoroughly) · fi pohjoinen (north) · de empor (away from earth’s surface) · scn n susu (away from earth’s surface) · bg наго́ре (away from earth’s surface) · mk нагоре (away from earth’s surface) · esh بالا (away from earth’s surface) · rm sü (away from earth’s surface) · cs vzhůru (away from earth’s surface) · bo གྱེན (away from earth’s surface) · da opad (away from earth’s surface) · pl do góry (away from earth’s surface) · be уве́рх (away from earth’s surface) · luy engaki (away from earth’s surface) · sw juu (higher, louder) · pl z- (completely, thoroughly) · mn өөд (away from earth’s surface) · tr yukarı (away from earth’s surface) · cy i fyny (away from earth’s surface) · ru наве́рх (away from earth’s surface) · az yuxarı (away from earth’s surface) · is uppi (away from earth’s surface) · oc amont (away from earth’s surface) · kmr serî (away from earth’s surface) · dsb górjejce (away from earth’s surface) · ce хьала (away from earth’s surface) · be наве́рх (away from earth’s surface) · sv för- (completely, thoroughly) · ga suas (away from earth’s surface) · bo ཡར (away from earth’s surface) · uk догори́ (away from earth’s surface) · yi אַרויף (away from earth’s surface) · la per- (completely, thoroughly) · ang upp (away from earth’s surface) · hy վերև (away from earth’s surface) · lv augstāk (higher, louder) · zza anvero (diq) (higher in pitch)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *upó
Proto-Germanic *ub
Proto-Germanic *upp
Proto-West Germanic *upp
Old English upp
Middle English up
English up
From Middle English up, op, oup, from Old English upp, up, ūp (“up”), from Proto-West Germanic *upp, *ūp, from Proto-Germanic *upp, *eup (“up”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian ap (“up”), West Frisian op (“up”), Dutch op (“up”), German Low German up, op (“up”), German auf (“up”), Danish op (“up”), Swedish upp (“up”), Icelandic upp (“up”), Gothic 𐌹𐌿𐍀 (iup, “up”).
Meanings
(uncountable) The direction opposed to the pull of gravity.
Up is a good way to go.
(countable) A positive thing, or a time or situation when things are going well.
I've been on an up all this week.
There are many ups to caravanning, but also many downs.
One last impression — and one of the biggest "ups" for me — was the Saturday night cultural presentations. 1976 February 14, Michael Bumblebee, “Gay Folks and The 'Hard Times'”, in Gay Community News, volume 3, number 33, page 3:
I hate almost everything about my job. The only up is that it's so close to home.
(countable, particle, uncountable) An up quark.
(countable, uncountable) An upstairs room of a two story house.
She lives in a two-up two-down.
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ups
Number=Plur
lexicographic
Antonyms
down (antonym(s) of “direction opposed to the pull of gravity”)
ja 上 (direction opposed to the pull of gravity) · sw juu (direction opposed to the pull of gravity) · eo supren (direction opposed to the pull of gravity) · fi ylös (direction opposed to the pull of gravity) · ko 위 (direction opposed to the pull of gravity) · mk нагоре (direction opposed to the pull of gravity) · fr haut (direction opposed to the pull of gravity) · nl omhoog (direction opposed to the pull of gravity)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *upó
Proto-Germanic *ub
Proto-Germanic *upp
Proto-West Germanic *upp
Old English upp
Middle English up
English up
From Middle English up, op, oup, from Old English upp, up, ūp (“up”), from Proto-West Germanic *upp, *ūp, from Proto-Germanic *upp, *eup (“up”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian ap (“up”), West Frisian op (“up”), Dutch op (“up”), German Low German up, op (“up”), German auf (“up”), Danish op (“up”), Swedish upp (“up”), Icelandic upp (“up”), Gothic 𐌹𐌿𐍀 (iup, “up”).
Meanings
(in-certain-phrases, poetic, transitive) To physically raise or lift.
We upped anchor and sailed away.
(colloquial, transitive) To increase the level or amount of.
Part of the woman's mystique, I guess. Makes people want to meet her all the more. A year ago, she upped her stock with that crowd when she bought the Midnight Star — among the world's most famous star sapphires 2008, Randy Wayne White, Black Widow, page 181:
As usual, they've upped the prices for Valentine's Day.
It says that while European countries upped their subsidies by 6% between 2018-20, the growth in business was only 0.45%. 2023 November 29, “Network News: European services 'stifled by subsidies', says ALLRAIL”, in RAIL, number 997, page 21:
After a dreadful performance in the opening 45 minutes, they upped their game after the break and might have taken at least a point from the match. 2011 December 10, Marc Higginson, “Bolton 1 - 2 Aston Villa”, in BBC Sport:
My psychiatrist upped my guanfacine dose since ADHD symptoms have not gotten better.
If we up the volume, we may be able to hear what he says.
(colloquial, transitive) To promote.
The other day Mr. Meyer came to see me in Weinbergers, it caused a great sensation & I think upped me a lot in prestige there 1940, Jessica Mitford, Peter Y. Sussman, Decca: The Letters of Jessica Mitford, published 2010, page 64:
It wasn’t long before they upped him to Vice President.
(And who, by the way, got his start as a producer from Desi Arnaz, who upped him from film editor to take charge of the Desilu series The Untouchables 2005, Larry Brody, Turning Points in Television, page 70:
"Ryker's a--" He swallowed. "A cop. Used to work Sleeve Theft, then they upped him to the Organic Damage Division. 2003, Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon, page 136:
(in-compounds, intransitive, often, with another verb) To rise to a standing position; hence, by extension, to act suddenly; see also up and.
And she didn't leave a letter, she just upped and ran away 1991, Michael Jackson, “Who Is It”:
He upped and punched that guy.
He just upped and quit.
She was sitting there quietly, then all of a sudden she upped and left.
But the swagman he up and jumped into the waterhole,
Drowning himself by the coolibah tree.
And his ghost may be heard as it sings by the billabong,
'Who'll come a'waltzing Matilda, with me.' 1895, “Waltzing Matilda”, Banjo Paterson (lyrics):
(archaic, intransitive, poetic) To ascend; to climb up.
"Will ye up, lass, and ride behind me?". 1863, Charles Kingsley, The Water Babies, page 10:
(slang, transitive) To upload.
100 new apps and games have just been upped.
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ups
Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres
lexicographic
upping
Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
upped
Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
upped
Tense=Past
lexicographic
Deriveds
up sticks (terms derived from up (verb)) · up and go (terms derived from up (verb)) · up the ante (terms derived from up (verb)) · up and leave (terms derived from up (verb)) · up and (terms derived from up (verb)) · up the game (terms derived from up (verb))
Translations (30)
ms menaikkan (increase) · nl omhoogdraaien (increase) · ms meningkatkan (increase) · nl promoveren (promote) · fi kasvattaa (increase) · no høyne (increase) · no forfremme (promote) · de erhöhen (increase) · da forfremme (promote) · mk зголемува (increase) · mk повишува (increase) · no øke (increase) · de aufdrehen (increase) · ja 上げる (increase) · da forøge (increase) · sw kupandisha cheo (promote) · sv höja (increase) · gd èirich (promote) · nl verhogen (increase) · sw kuongeza (increase) · mk унапредува (promote) · nl opschroeven (increase) · pt promover (promote) · fi nostaa (increase) · fi nostaa (promote) · cs zvýšit (increase) · cs povýšit (promote) · gd àrdaich (promote) · ja 上げる (promote) · gd èirich (increase)