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

• cheerful
• optimistic
• bright

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

Heather Matarazzo joins season 2 as Judi, the upbeat — but unexpectedly unsettling — executive assistant to Dr. Fairburn at Willow Hill Psychiatric Facility. —Jane Lacroix, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

He was born with congenital muscular dystrophy which limits his physical abilities, but not his upbeat, can-do attitude. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 11 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Sony shares are up 5% on the numbers and a more upbeat forecast. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025

But after an arbitration court ruled last month in Chevron’s favor over its contested acquisition of Hess, the mammoth firms are feeling upbeat. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upbeat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

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