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 intensifierclean 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
up
adjectiveDefinition 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
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 up to
: confronted with : face-to-face with
the problem we are up against
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
up
prepositionDefinition of up (Entry 3 of 6)
1a —used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point ofwent 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
up
nounDefinition 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
up
verbDefinition of up (Entry 5 of 6)
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 initiatedhe up and quit his job
b : raise sense 8d
UP
abbreviationDefinition of UP (Entry 6 of 6)
Upper Peninsula (of Michigan)
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Time Traveler for up
The first known use of up was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century