upbeat

1 of 2

noun

up·​beat ˈəp-ˌbēt 

1

: an unaccented beat or portion of a beat in a musical measure

specifically : the last beat of the measure

2

: an increase in activity or prosperity

business that is on the upbeat

upbeat

2 of 2

adjective

: cheerful, optimistic

I'm feeling upbeat today

Synonyms

Adjective

• blithe
• blithesome
• bright
• buoyant
• canty [British dialect]
• cheerful
• cheery
• chipper
• eupeptic
• gay
• gladsome
• lightsome
• sunny
• winsome

Examples of upbeat in a Sentence

Adjective

I like a story with an upbeat ending.

I tried to stay upbeat about losing the election.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The contrast of the upbeat with the sentimental would become a trademark of Hardy’s music over her long career. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 June 2024

International surveys show India’s consumers have become the most upbeat anywhere. —Alex Travelli, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Adjective

Palo Alto recently rallied after a stronger-than-expected fiscal fourth quarter and an upbeat outlook. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2024

Trending Video How an Interior Designer Maximizes Her 650 Square Foot Studio Apartment [upbeat music] Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Volume 0% Current Time 0:02 Duration 11:51 Remaining Time While Bezos’s decorative decision was perhaps not intentionally a nod to his partner, Zuckerberg’s was direct. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1947, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

upbeat

1 of 2 noun

up·​beat ˈəp-ˌbēt 

: an unaccented beat in a musical measure

especially : the last beat of the measure

upbeat

2 of 2 adjective

: optimistic, cheerful

an upbeat story