up to

1 of 2

preposition

1

—used as a function word to indicate extension as far as a specified place

sank up to his knees in the mud

2

—used as a function word to indicate a limit or boundary

up to 50,000 copies a month

worked up to the last minute

up to

2 of 2

phrase

1

: capable of performing or dealing with

feels up to the task

2

: engaged in

what is he up to

3

: being the responsibility of

it's up to me

Examples of up to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

Tropical storm-force winds extend out up to 175 miles from the center of the storm. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

For one, bankruptcy has the potential to do major damage to your credit score, remaining on your credit report for up to 10 years. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Sep. 2026

Maui could record up to 8 inches of rain, the National Hurricane Center said, but officials in the state are also focused on the storm’s impacts on the island of Kauai. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

At the salon, the impossibly flawless-looking manager (Azmeri Haque Badhon) finds granular fault with Zai’s body, from stretchmarks to pore imperfections, signing her up to a gruelling program of treatments. — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for up to

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

up to

preposition

1

: as far as a named part or place

sank up to my hips

2

: in accordance with

the game was not up to our standards

3

a

: to the limit of

come in sizes up to 10

b

: as many or as much as

carry up to 10 tons

4

: until entry 1, till

from dawn up to dusk