up

adverb

\ ˈəp

Definition of up

(Entry 1 of 6)

1a(1) : in or into a higher position or level especially : away from the center of the earth

(2) : from beneath the ground or water to the surface

(3) : from below the horizon

(4) : upstream sense 1

(5) : in or into an upright position sit up especially : out of bed

b : upward from the ground or surface pull up a daisy

c : so as to expose a particular surface

2 : with greater intensity speak up

3a : in or into a better or more advanced state

b : at an end your time is up

c : in or into a state of greater intensity or excitement

d : to or at a greater speed, rate, or amount prices went up

e : in a continual sequence : in continuance from a point or to a point from third grade up at prices of $10 and up up until now

4a(1) : into existence, evidence, prominence, or prevalence

(2) : into operation or practical form

b : into consideration or attention bring up for discussion

5 : into possession or custody

6a : entirely, completely button up your coat

b —used as an intensifier clean up the house

7 : in or into storage : by lay up supplies

8a : so as to arrive or approach

b : in a direction conventionally the opposite of down:

(1) : to windward

(2) : northward

(3) : to or at the top

(4) : to or at the rear of a theatrical stage

9 : in or into parts

10 : to a stop —usually used with draw, bring, fetch, or pull

11 : for each side the score is 15 up

adjective

Definition of up (Entry 2 of 6)

1a : risen above the horizon the sun is up

b : standing

c : being out of bed

d : relatively high the river is up was well up in her class

e : being in a raised position : lifted windows are up

f : being in a state of completion : constructed, built

g : having the face upward

h : mounted on a horse a new jockey up

i : grown above a surface the corn is up

j(1) : moving, inclining, or directed upward the up escalator

(2) : bound in a direction regarded as up

2a(1) : marked by agitation, excitement, or activity

(2) : positive or upbeat in mood or demeanor

b : being above a former or normal level (as of quantity or intensity) attendance is up the wind is up

c : exerting enough power (as for operation) sail when steam is up

d : ready specifically : highly prepared

e : going on : taking place find out what is up

3a : risen from a lower position men up from the ranks

b : being at the same level or point did not feel up to par

c(1) : well informed : abreast up on the news

(2) : being on schedule up on his homework

d : being ahead of one's opponent

4a : presented for or undergoing consideration contract up for negotiation also : charged before a court up for robbery

b : being the one whose turn it is you're up next

up against

: confronted with : face-to-face with the problem we are up against

up to

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

preposition

Definition of up (Entry 3 of 6)

1a —used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of went up the stairs

b : up into or in the was hid away up garret— Mark Twain

2a : in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of lives a few miles up the coast walked up the street

b : toward or near a point closer to the source or beginning of sail up the river

3 : in the direction opposite to sailed up the wind

noun

Definition of up (Entry 4 of 6)

1 : one in a high or advantageous position

2 : an upward slope

3 : a period or state of prosperity or success

4 : upper entry 3

5 : a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of +2/3 and that is one of the constituents of a nucleon

verb

upped\ ˈəpt

\ or in intransitive verb sense 2 up; upped; upping; ups or in intransitive verb sense 2 up

Definition of up (Entry 5 of 6)

intransitive verb

1a : to rise from a lying or sitting position

b : to move upward : ascend

2 —used with and and another verb to indicate that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly or abruptly initiated he up and quit his job

transitive verb

1 : raise, lift

2a : to advance to a higher level:

(1) : increase

(2) : promote sense 1a

b : raise sense 8d

abbreviation

Definition of UP (Entry 6 of 6)

Upper Peninsula (of Michigan)

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about up

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Examples of up in a Sentence

Adverb

The land rises up from the valley. She stood beneath the window and called up to her friend. Please pick your clothes up off the floor. We watched the sun come up. He held up his hand. We stored the boxes up in the attic. She stuck a notice up on the wall. What's going on up there? He looked up at the stars. The cards were on the table facing up.

Adjective

The candy is up on the top shelf. The window is already up. Your package is up at the front desk. We were up near the stage. Are the kids up yet? We are up every morning at six. I was up all night studying for the test. Gas prices are up again.

Preposition

He climbed up the ladder. She had to walk her bike up the hill. The bathroom is up the stairs. Go up the street and turn left. We walked up the street to meet them. They live just up the block from us. I paddled the canoe up the river. The ship sailed up the coast. Her office is all the way up the hall on the right. He paced up and down the hall, waiting for news about his wife's operation.

Verb

climbing fuel prices have forced the delivery company to up its prices the road constantly ups and downs as it makes its way over the hills

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Allowing young adults up to age 26 to stay on their parents’ health plans is unquestionably one of the most popular ACA provisions. — Julie Rovner, Kaiser Health News, "5 Outside-The-Box Ideas For Fixing The Individual Insurance Market," 30 Aug. 2017 Prices appear to be up more significantly in Harford than elsewhere in Maryland. — Erika Butler, The Aegis, "Donation drive planned in Bel Air Wednesday to aid Harvey victims," 29 Aug. 2017 The two remained close over the years, up until Ford’s death in 2016. — Yohana Desta, HWD, "Martin Lawrence on the 25th Anniversary of Martin: “It’s Impacted the Culture”," 27 Aug. 2017 Thrust your hips forward, pulling the dumbbell straight up, and extend your arm at the top while dipping from the hips and knees. — Jay Willis, GQ, "The Key to Running a Faster Marathon Is Getting Strong as Hell," 27 Aug. 2017 Hollister reported its third straight quarter of positive comparative store sales Thursday, up 5 percent from the same period the year prior. — Megan Hess, Bloomberg.com, "Your Evening Briefing," 25 Aug. 2017 The median sales price was $165,000, up 2.5 percent from the $161,000 median price tag during the same month last year and a 1.9 percent increase from the $162,000 posted in June. — Karen Caffarini, Post-Tribune, "NWI housing prices rise in July," 25 Aug. 2017 Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition supports up to 8K resolution, Dolby Atmos sound, and a laundry list of Nvidia's GameWorks enhancements. — Mark Walton, Ars Technica, "Final Fantasy 15 on PC: Has Square Enix lost its way, or do graphics really matter?," 25 Aug. 2017 Gustin is seeking to fill one of two board seats that are up for election next year. — Erin Hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Councilwoman Patty Gustin running for DuPage County Board," 22 Aug. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Two weeks ago, Bellinger had a memorable 12-yard catch against Weber State on an up-for-grabs pass that Agnew admitted afterwards was ill-advised. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "3 Thoughts after the Aztecs’ 31-10 win over New Mexico State," 15 Sep. 2019 Cheyenne O’Grady was a straight up man on Saturday. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Watch Arkansas’ Cheyenne O’Grady run through half Colorado State defense for TD in win," 15 Sep. 2019 On the up side, some studies have shown those negative effects can be erased by daily exercise. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Sit, stand, sit: The new science about how to best use your standing desk," 12 Sep. 2019 Two people ride the up escalator as a phalanx of riot-ready police descends on the other side. — Washington Post, "AP PHOTOS: Dining, laughing, living amid Hong Kong protests," 11 Sep. 2019 The clients’ ceiling-hung pendants add just enough interest above the low bed and free up space on the midcentury flea-market nightstands. — Emma Bazilian, House Beautiful, "A Trip to the Paris Flea Markets Transformed This Brooklyn House," 9 Sep. 2019 After tromping up hills and around bends, nearly everyone is wiping sweat away. — Adam Harris, The Atlantic, "The Fine Line Campus Tour Guides Walk—Backwards," 29 Aug. 2019 The Lineboro Volunteer Fire Department has taken delivery of an up-fitted 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe that has been designated as Life Support 7. — Akira Kyles, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Lineboro fire company replaces 18-year-old medical support response unit with new Tahoe," 26 Aug. 2019 When the bed is in the up position, a table flips open for use as a workbench or an additional cooking space. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Four-wheel-drive camper van is prepped for off-grid adventure," 19 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'up.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of up

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Preposition

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1643, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

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More Definitions for up

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of up

(Entry 1 of 5)

: from a lower to a higher place or position

: in a high position or place

: toward the sky or ceiling

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of up (Entry 2 of 5)

: in a high place or position

: raised so as to be opened

: risen above the horizon

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of up (Entry 3 of 5)

: to, toward, or at a higher point on (something)

: along the course or path of (something)

noun

English Language Learners Definition of up (Entry 4 of 5)

: a period or state of success, happiness, etc.

verb

English Language Learners Definition of up (Entry 5 of 5)

: to make (something) higher

See the full definition for up in the English Language Learners Dictionary

adverb

\ ˈəp

Kids Definition of up

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : in or to a high or higher place or position She put her hand up.

2 : in or into a vertical position Stand up.

3 : from beneath a surface (as ground or water) Come up for air.

4 : with greater force or to a greater level Speak up. Turn the heat up.

5 : so as to make more active Stir up the fire.

6 : so as to appear or be present The missing ring turned up.

7 : completely Use it up.

8 : so as to approach or be near He walked up and said “hello.”

9 : from below the horizon The sun came up.

10 : out of bed What time did you get up?

11 : in or into a better or more advanced state He worked his way up in the company. She grew up on a farm.

12 : for consideration or discussion I brought up the issue.

13 : into the control of another I gave myself up.

14 —used to show completeness Fill up the gas tank.

15 : so as to be closed Seal up the package.

16 : in or into pieces The puppy tore it up.

17 : to a stop Pull up at the curb.

18 : into a working or usable state I set up the computer.

adjective

Kids Definition of up (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : risen above the horizon or ground The sun is up.

2 : being out of bed

3 : unusually high Gas prices are up.

4 : having been raised or built The windows are up. The house is up.

5 : moving or going upward an up elevator

6 : being busy and moving about He likes to be up and doing things.

7 : well prepared Are you up for this challenge?

8 : happy or excited The team was up after their win.

9 : going on Find out what's up.

10 : at an end Time is up.

11 : well informed I'm not up on the latest news.

12 : functioning correctly The computer system is up.

preposition

Kids Definition of up (Entry 3 of 5)

1 : to, toward, or at a higher point of He climbed up a ladder.

2 : to or toward the beginning of We paddled up a river.

3 : along entry 1 sense 1 Let's walk up the street.

up to

1 : as far as We found ourselves in mud up to our ankles.

2 : in accordance with The game was not up to our standards.

3 : to the limit of The car holds up to six people.

noun

Kids Definition of up (Entry 4 of 5)

: a period or state of doing well You've had your ups and downs.

verb

upped; upping

Kids Definition of up (Entry 5 of 5)

1 : to act suddenly or surprisingly The teenager upped and left home.

2 : to make or become higher Coffee producers upped prices.

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up

Definition of up

Synonyms & Antonyms for up

Examples of up in a Sentence

First Known Use of up

History and Etymology for up

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Dictionary Entries near up

Statistics for up

The first known use of up was before the 12th century

English Language Learners Definition of up

Kids Definition of up

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up

Definition of up

Synonyms & Antonyms for up

Examples of up in a Sentence

First Known Use of up

History and Etymology for up

Learn More about up

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Dictionary Entries near up

Statistics for up

The first known use of up was before the 12th century

English Language Learners Definition of up

Kids Definition of up

WORD OF THE DAY

belfry

Test Your Vocabulary

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Meet Puku, Our New Kids' App!

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