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

For example, individual filers can receive up to $994, couples filing jointly can receive $1,491, and those providing essential care to SSI recipients can receive up to $498. —Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026

The team raves about the hotel’s water pressure, and the waterfall shower lives up to the hype. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026

Ecuador’s defense ministry said forces destroyed a hideout for a Border Command leader and also a training area with capacity for up to 50 drug traffickers. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Middle-aged adults with Obamacare plans acutely feel the pinch of the expired subsidies, because the ACA allows insurers to charge adults in their 60s up to three times as much for premiums as those in their 20s, who generally use fewer medical services. —Sam Whitehead, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 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