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

Gusts up to 85-90 miles an hour. —Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025

SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends are still up to their light-hearted shenanigans, but the movie also doesn’t shy away from lessons on finding bravery and fortitude. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 19 Dec. 2025

Low- and moderate-income workers would receive a 1% government contribution and up to 4% through a refundable federal tax credit. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025

Set in the lead up to Egypt’s 2011 revolution, which ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year dictatorship, the film was inspired by the real-life 2008 murder of singer Suzanne Tamim, and murky attempts to protect the powerful real estate tycoon behind her death, who has since been pardoned by Al-Sisi. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025

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