upward

1 of 2

adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd 

variants or upwards

ˈəp-wərdz 

1

a

: in a direction from lower to higher

the kite rose upward

b(1)

: toward the source (as of a river)

(2)

: toward the interior (as of a region)

c

: in a higher position

held out his hand, palm upward

d

: in the upper parts : toward the head : above

from the waist upward

2

: toward a higher or better condition or level

young lawyers moving upward

3

a

: to an indefinitely greater amount, figure, or rank

from $5 upward

b

: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate

attendance figures have risen upward

4

: toward or into later years

from youth upward

upward

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending

an upward movement/flow

b

: directed toward the top (as of a piece of paper)

an upward stroke of the pen

c

: marked by an increase

an upward revision of the employment figures

2

: rising to a higher pitch

Her words had an upward inflection.

upwardly adverb

upwardness noun

Examples of upward in a Sentence

Adverb

The road gradually rose upward.

She directed my gaze upward.

They are moving upward socially and economically.

moving upward in the corporate world

Adjective

an upward revision of the vote tally

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

So the team figured the right way to do it would be to put an atom into a superposition of paths, where one path sees the atom thrown upward and has gravity return it to its original location. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Long before those children reached upward, Palestinians had already learned to build freedom from whatever the occupation could not confiscate. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Ayari’s rise to prominence at club level has been matched by an upward trajectory on the international stage since Potter took charge of Sweden last October. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

By contrast, diesel has been on an upward trajectory since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

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

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upward

• onward and upward
• upward mobility
• upward of
• upward spiral

Kids Definition

upward

1 of 2 adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd 

variants or upwards

-wərdz 

1

: in a direction from lower to higher

the land rises upward

2

: toward a higher or better condition

worked my way upward in the business

3

: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate

prices shot upward

upward

2 of 2 adjective

: directed toward or located in a higher place or level : ascending

upwardly adverb