upright

1 of 3

adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: perpendicular, vertical

b

: erect in carriage or posture

c

: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

upright freezer

2

: marked by strong moral rectitude

an upright citizen

uprightly adverb

uprightness noun

upright

2 of 3

adverb

: vertically upward : in an upright position

upright

3 of 3

noun

1

: the state of being upright : perpendicular

a pillar out of upright

2

: something that stands upright

especially : a football goalpost

—usually used in plural

3

: upright piano

Synonyms

Adjective

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• nice
• true
• good
• decent
• moral

Choose the Right Synonym for upright

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right.

upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments

scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Examples of upright in a Sentence

Adjective

Put your seat back in the upright position.

The container should be kept upright to prevent leaks.

Noun

The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The cultivar is versatile to boot: It can be grown as a medium-sized upright shrub or trained as a climber. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025

An Upright Option Photograph: Dyson Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra $500 $418 (16% off) Amazon (Extra) $500 Dyson Love a classic upright vacuum? —Nena Farrell, Wired News, 9 July 2025

Adverb

That system automatically brings the Trinova back upright when coming to a stop. —Ben Coxworth july 11, New Atlas, 11 July 2025

High ceilings would allow relics such as the museum’s 16-foot wooden boards to be displayed upright, and a library area could be a study spot where surf magazines, books and other cultural, environmental and historic information could be accessed by students and the public. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 3 July 2025

Noun

Place the lemon upright on the cut side, and use your chef’s knife to follow the contour of the lemon, removing the peel and pith, while leaving the fruit intact. —Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 7 July 2025

Full sun Soil Type: Average, well-draining Soil pH: 6 to 7.5 Also known as hummingbird mint, this upright, clumping perennial has pretty spikes of flowers in shades of red, pink, coral, yellow, white, purple or hot pink from summer to early fall. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upright

• sit bolt upright
• upright piano

Rhymes for upright

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

upright

1 of 2 adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: vertical entry 1 sense 2

an upright posture

b

: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

2

: living by high moral standards : honorable

uprightness noun

upright

2 of 2 noun

1

: an upright or vertical position

2

: something upright