Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *upó
Proto-Germanic *ub
Proto-Germanic *upp
Proto-West Germanic *upp
Old English upp
Middle English up
Proto-Indo-European *-yōs
Proto-Germanic *-izô
Proto-West Germanic *-iʀō
Proto-Germanic *-ōzô
Proto-West Germanic *-ōʀō
Old English -ra
Middle English -er
Middle English upper
English upper
Inherited from Middle English upper. By surface analysis, up + -er.
Meanings
At a higher physical position, level, rank or order.
Situated on higher ground, further inland, more upstream, or more northerly.
(of strata or geological time periods) Younger, more recent.
Of or pertaining to a secondary school.
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
uppermost
Degree=Sup
lexicographic
uppermore
Degree=Cmp
rare
lexicographic
Antonyms
lower (antonym(s) of “more recent”) · lower (antonym(s) of “situated higher”) · lower (antonym(s) of “at a higher position”) · under (antonym(s) of “at a higher position”)
fi ylempi (at a higher level, rank or position) · fi pohjoisempi (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · fa بالاتر (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · gld увуй (at a higher level, rank or position) · pl wierzchni (at a higher level, rank or position) · ar أَعْلَى (at a higher level, rank or position) · acw فوقاني (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · pt acima (at a higher level, rank or position) · hu felső (at a higher level, rank or position) · no øvre (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · fi korkeampi (at a higher level, rank or position) · mk погорен (at a higher level, rank or position) · pt superior (at a higher level, rank or position) · ar عُلْيَا (at a higher level, rank or position) · pt de cima (at a higher level, rank or position) · sv övre (at a higher level, rank or position) · ota اوست (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · bg по́-го́рен (at a higher level, rank or position) · sv övre (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · cs vrchní (at a higher level, rank or position) · fi myöhempi (of a later division of some period) · de ober (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · fa بالاتر (at a higher level, rank or position) · fi ylempi (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · sk horný (at a higher level, rank or position) · la superus (at a higher level, rank or position) · sk vrchný (at a higher level, rank or position) · ka ზემო (at a higher level, rank or position) · qu hanan (at a higher level, rank or position) · he עֶלְיוֹן (at a higher level, rank or position) · az yuxarı (at a higher level, rank or position) · uk ве́рхній (at a higher level, rank or position) · ota اوست (at a higher level, rank or position) · gl superior (at a higher level, rank or position) · hy վերին (at a higher level, rank or position) · es superior (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · eo supra (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · ru по́здний (of a later division of some period) · ru ве́рхний (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · hy վերին (of a later division of some period) · acw أعلى (at a higher level, rank or position) · bg горен (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · pl górny (at a higher level, rank or position) · ka ზემოთა (at a higher level, rank or position) · sco buiner (at a higher level, rank or position) · fi ylä- (secondary; as of school) · bg го́рен (at a higher level, rank or position) · it superiore (at a higher level, rank or position) · fi kaukaisempi (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · ka ზედა (at a higher level, rank or position) · sh gȏrnjī (at a higher level, rank or position) · de oberer (at a higher level, rank or position) · sa उत्तर (at a higher level, rank or position) · ca superior (at a higher level, rank or position) · fr supérieur (at a higher level, rank or position) · mnc ᡩᡝᡵᡤᡳ (at a higher level, rank or position) · az yuxarı (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · ca superior (of a later division of some period) · ota یوقاری (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · hu felső (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · es superior (at a higher level, rank or position) · ja 上の (at a higher level, rank or position) · mn дээд (at a higher level, rank or position) · cmn 上邊的 /上边的 (at a higher level, rank or position) · sh го̑рњӣ (at a higher level, rank or position) · da øvre (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · sv gymnasial (secondary; as of school) · ar عُلْوِيّ (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · ru ве́рхний (at a higher level, rank or position) · ca alt (of a later division of some period) · evn угу (at a higher level, rank or position) · cmn 上的 (at a higher level, rank or position) · grc ἀνώτερος (at a higher level, rank or position) · ota یوقاری (at a higher level, rank or position) · ar فَوْقَانِيّ (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · be ве́рхні (at a higher level, rank or position) · es de arriba (más) (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · egy Hr:r-y:N1 (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · mk горен (at a higher level, rank or position) · sl gornji (at a higher level, rank or position) · ko 위의 (at a higher level, rank or position) · hy վերին (situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly) · qu hanaq (at a higher level, rank or position) · cs horní (at a higher level, rank or position)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *upó
Proto-Germanic *ub
Proto-Germanic *upp
Proto-West Germanic *upp
Old English upp
Middle English up
Proto-Indo-European *-yōs
Proto-Germanic *-izô
Proto-West Germanic *-iʀō
Proto-Germanic *-ōzô
Proto-West Germanic *-ōʀō
Old English -ra
Middle English -er
Middle English upper
English upper
Inherited from Middle English upper. By surface analysis, up + -er.
Meanings
A stimulant, such as amphetamine, that increases energy and decreases appetite.
Eye Girl is very moody. She is always zooted up on some really foul combination of uppers and downers and Rollerblading. Her bouts of Rollerblading seem to coincide with fights with Eye Guy. 1997, Maggie Estep, Diary of an Emotional Idiot: A Novel, New York, N.Y.: Harmony Books, →ISBN, page 6:
Say, for example, a person starts with the use of a downer that reduces any anxiety and produces a sense of relaxation. When their energy levels drop, they take a stimulant in order to continue participating in the party or another event. This creates a cycle that could lead to significant drug use and drastically increases the risk of overdose or death. It is critical to know which drugs are uppers and downers to avoid this combination. 2024 April 10 [2020 August 27], Nick B., “Which Drugs Are Uppers And Downers?”, in The Freedom Center, archived from the original on 21 Feb 2025:
A stimulant, such as amphetamine, that increases energy and decreases appetite. ▸ Anything that cheers one up.
1977-1980, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure
Patrick was a cabbie & a dispatcher at Yellow Cab & when we got to the church where the [funeral] services were being held, the cabbies came out in force for Pat & there were at least 30 cabs pulling into the church parking lot. It was a real upper for a lot of us.
The upper portion of something.
The slewing ring is basically a large bearing upon which the upper is mounted. The outer race of the slewing ring is bolted to the upper, and the inner race is bolted to the car-body. 1992, Organizational, Direct Support, and General Support, page 5:
These lines, GH and PC, are cut when the outline of the upper is cut out. 2012, Reginald Laubin, Gladys Laubin, The Indian Tipi: Its History, Construction, and Use:
(qualifier:shoemaking) The upper portion of something. ▸ The piece of material that forms the top part of a shoe or boot above the sole.
Holonyms: shoe, boot
The uppers of his patent-leather shoes were hidden by fawn spats. 1930, Dashiell Hammett, chapter 4, in The Maltese Falcon, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, page 52:
genuine leather upper / balance manmade [label on a shoe]
(qualifier:footwear) The upper portion of something. ▸ The Y-shaped strap on flip-flops.
Someone with higher social standing
Thus a vicious circle is established: the uppers offer participation, and the lowers, feeling persecuted, withdraw. 1993, Larry Hirschhorn, Carole K. Barnett, The Psychodynamics of Organizations:
Someone with higher social standing ▸ A senior student.
It is advisable, for example, to learn the words to the school loyalty and to “Fair Harvard” in the event that you are “asked” to give an impromptu “concert” in the Yard for the benefit of the Uppers. 2016, The Best of the Harvard Lampoon: 140 Years of American Humor:
Each Upper had his private Fag; but general fagdom consisted of obedience to the demand of every Upper, no matter in whose House he happened to be. 1895, Edward Parry Eardley-Wilmot, E. C. Streatfield, Charterhouse, page 64:
That which is higher, contrasted with the lower.
Next, take up slack equally on the two uppers until they are snug. 1984, Robert Forrest Burgess, Handbook of trailer sailing, page 90:
In this compact middle level between the uppers and the lowers, I actually had a counter in front of me, where food or drink could be safely planted, without fear of knocking over onto any patrons sitting in the seats below me. 2010, Thomas Porky McDonald, Poet in the Grandstand:
During the seventh week, the limbs also rotate laterally in the uppers and medially in the lowers. 2009, Michael A. Alexander, Dennis J. Matthews, Pediatric Rehabilitation: Principles & Practice, page 361:
That which is higher, contrasted with the lower. ▸ A tooth in the upper jaw.
In the lingualized type of occlusion, contact of the lingual cusps of the uppers against the semianatomic teeth on the lowers will be seen in lateral, protrusive, and eccentric movements. 2009, Arun K. Garg, Implant Dentistry, page 165:
Considering the badly decayed condition of the Chief's other teeth, I recommended removal of what remained of the uppers, followed by a “full plate” after healing. 2014, Jake Jacobson, Alaska Tales: Laughs and Surprises:
Periodically check the bite with the uppers and lowers to ensure that your actor's mouth will close correctly. 2012, Todd Debreceni, Special Make-up Effects for Stage & Screen:
These reentrant folds, especially those on the buccal side of the uppers and the lingual side of the lowers, are quickly isolated by wear into infundibula within lakes of dentin. 2010, Peter S. Ungar, Mammal Teeth: Origin, Evolution, and Diversity, page 212:
That which is higher, contrasted with the lower. ▸ A denture or retainer for the teeth in the upper jaw.
The lower (according to the patient) was perfect, but the upper was bad, and the dentist was going to make the upper again. 1941, Cal - Volumes 4-6, page 6:
Treatment was continued until November, 1909, when a retainer was placed in position in the lower, consisting of bands round the lower first molars and a wire passing lingually round all the teeth. The upper was retained by means of a plate with wires wires passing behind the upper first molars and round in front of all the teeth. 1912, Dental Record:
The upper was retained with a Hawley bite plane; the lip bumper was continued for an additional 18 months. 2010, David R. Avery, Ralph E. McDonald, Jeffrey A. Dean, McDonald and Avery Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent:
That which is higher, contrasted with the lower. ▸ An upper berth or bunk.
Of course I naturally I asked why, but all the satisfaction I got for the time being was that the upper was good enough for me, and that it was a pretty good place in which to sleep, anyway. 1914, Illinois Central Magazine - Volume 3, Issues 1-11, page 91:
The Railroad Company further averred that it operated sleeping cars over its system of more than 7,000 miles of interstate roads, and that the Interstate Commerce Commission had prescribed rates for each of said sleeping car units on trains running to and from the state of Wisconsin. The rate fixed for the upper was 80 per cent. of the charge for the use of the lower; the price for the whole section beting the sum of the two rates. 1926, United States. Supreme Court, United States Supreme Court Reports - Volume 59, page 1423:
Twelve lowers and twelve uppers and three beds in the drawing rooms. 2011, Studs Terkel, Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression:
But trains have changed. Gone are the uppers and lowers, partitions and cranks, and the green velour; only the porter remains, the same man, I think, a black man with palms the color of shrimp and a neck swollen with dislike. 2011, Walker Percy, The Moviegoer:
The uppers were reached by comfortably safe steps with handrails and slip proof coatings. 2016, Constance R. Pottenger, Drop Dead Casino - Ginger The First, page 31:
(qualifier:Taoism) A spiritual passageway through which consciousness can reach a higher dimension.
It is said in Tibetan culture, in order to understand the upper, it is necessary to understand the lower first. Once, the lower is understood, the upper is just an introductory. 2010, Tenzin Dhakpa Agongtsang, Realistic Principles, Pittsburgh, PA: RoseDog Books, page 10:
When the Tao Te Ching says: “In thought, you can see the cavity,” it is referring to what the Triplex Unity describes as “When the upper is closed, we call it existence; when the lower is closed, we call it nothingness.” 2005, Holding Yin, Embracing Yang:
The 'upper' is one of nine apertures through which consciousness can leave the body at death (utkrantih). 2005, Shingo Einoo, Genesis and Development of Tantra, page 128:
ca empenya (the part of a shoe above the sole) · gl empeña (the part of a shoe above the sole) · de Upper (stimulant) · es empeine (the part of a shoe above the sole) · ga uachtar (the part of a shoe above the sole) · fr empeigne (the part of a shoe above the sole) · sv ovanläder (the part of a shoe above the sole) · bg горница (the part of a shoe above the sole) · de Oberleder (the part of a shoe above the sole) · sv uppåttjack (stimulant) · mi ngawhewhe (the part of a shoe above the sole) · mi (pūroi) haupiki (stimulant) · pl cholewka (the part of a shoe above the sole)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *upó
Proto-Germanic *ub
Proto-Germanic *upp
Proto-West Germanic *upp
Old English upp
Middle English up
Proto-Indo-European *-yōs
Proto-Germanic *-izô
Proto-West Germanic *-iʀō
Proto-Germanic *-ōzô
Proto-West Germanic *-ōʀō
Old English -ra
Middle English -er
Middle English upper
English upper
Inherited from Middle English upper. By surface analysis, up + -er.
Meanings
(rare) To fix an upper onto a shoe.
No, that is where the job rating comes in. For example, the job of uppering the shoe, which is placing the gum upper on the last, carries a much higher rate than that of wiping the soapstone off the upper. 1935, Douglas Gordon, “The Problems of a Major Methods Change as Seen by a Methods Man”, in Personnel Series, volume 17, American Management Association:
(nonstandard) To raise.
Then, when a galaxy is forming and gets its relatively small black hole, it becomes responsible for uppering the amount of dark matter closer to the centre 2006 February 22, Hans Aberg, “Dark matter: hot and fast?”, in sci.astro.research (Usenet):