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

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

2

: rising to a higher pitch

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

Also called wild hyacinth or Atlantic camas, this adaptable perennial produces spikes of up to twenty pale blue, pink, or white blooms that open sequentially from the bottom upward. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025

Upon entering, your eyes are immediately drawn upward by soaring wood ceilings and clerestory windows, while towering walls of glass frame sweeping ocean and horizon views. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025

Adjective

The sudden increase from last week appears to be a result of a Midwest refinery outage that prompted a temporary evacuation of the BP plant in Whiting, Indiana, but is now over, and the jump at the pump may turn out to be more of a spike than an upward trend. —Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025

The report says that bankruptcy inquiries surged 17 percent in the third quarter of the year, continuing an upward trend that began in late 2021. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

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