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Definition of up
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 1 (5) : in or into an upright position sit up; especially : out of bedb : upward from the ground or surface pull up a daisyc : so as to expose a particular surface
2 : with greater intensity speak up
3a : in or into a better or more advanced stateb : at an end your time is upc : in or into a state of greater intensity or excitementd : to or at a greater speed, rate, or amount prices went upe : 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 formb : into consideration or attention bring up for discussion
5 : into possession or custody
6a : entirely, completely button up your coatb —used as an intensifier clean up the house
7 : in or into storage : by lay up supplies
8a : so as to arrive or approachb : 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
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Examples of up in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of up
partly from Middle English up upward, from Old English ūp; partly from Middle English uppe on high, from Old English; both akin to Old High German ūf up and probably to Latin sub under, Greek hypo under, hyper over — more at over
up
Definition of up
1a : risen above the horizon the sun is upb : standingc : being out of bedd : relatively high the river is up was well up in her classe : being in a raised position : lifted windows are upf : being in a state of completion : constructed, builtg : having the face upwardh : mounted on a horse a new jockey upi : grown above a surface the corn is upj (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 demeanorb : being above a former or normal level (as of quantity or intensity) attendance is up the wind is upc : exerting enough power (as for operation) sail when steam is upd : ready; specifically : highly preparede : going on : taking place find out what is up
3a : risen from a lower position men up from the ranksb : being at the same level or point did not feel up to parc (1) : well informed : abreast up on the news (2) : being on schedule up on his homeworkd : being ahead of one's opponent
4a : presented for or undergoing consideration contract up for negotiation; also : charged before a court up for robberyb : 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
Examples of up in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of up from the Web
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Others were already eyeing up potential retail opportunities.
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In your 30s, plenty of things in your life are on the up-and-up, like your career and your confidence.
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
before 12th century
up
Definition of up
1a —used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of went up the stairsb : 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 streetb : 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
Examples of up in a Sentence
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.
First Known Use of up
1509
up
Definition of up
1 : one in a high or advantageous position
2 : an upward slope
3 : a period or state of prosperity or success
4 : 3upper
5 : a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of +2/3 and that is one of the constituents of a nucleon
Recent Examples of up from the Web
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One day the Cambrian Genomics founder showed up for work at his San Francisco start-up.
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
1536
up
Definition of up
upped
play \ˈəpt\ or in intransitive verb sense 2up
;upped
;upping
;ups
or in intransitive verb sense 2up
intransitive verb
1a : to rise from a lying or sitting positionb : 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
2a : to advance to a higher level: (1) : increase (2) : promote 1ab : raise 8d, e
Examples of up in a Sentence
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 of up from the Web
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Authorities on Monday upped the tally of seriously damaged houses to about 80, including 19 that have been deemed uninhabitable.
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Also coming: the addition of an outdoor patio, upping seating to 70.
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
1643
UP
Definition of UP
Upper Peninsula (of Michigan)
UP Defined for English Language Learners
up
playDefinition of up for English Language Learners
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: from a lower to a higher place or position
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: in a high position or place
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: toward the sky or ceiling
up
Definition of up for English Language Learners
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: in a high place or position
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: raised so as to be opened
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: risen above the horizon
up
Definition of up for English Language Learners
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: a period or state of success, happiness, etc.
up
Definition of up for English Language Learners
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: to make (something) higher
UP Defined for Kids
Definition of up for Students
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.”
Definition of up for Students
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.
Definition of up for Students
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 : 1along 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.
Definition of up for Students
: a period or state of doing well You've had your ups and downs.
Definition of up for Students
upped
;upping
1 : to act suddenly or surprisingly The teenager upped and left home.
2 : to make or become higher Coffee producers upped prices.
Learn More about up
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See words that rhyme with up Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for up Spanish Central: Translation of up Nglish: Translation of up for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of up for Arabic speakers
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