upside down

adverb

up·​side down ˈəp-ˌsīd-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce upside down (audio)
1
: in such a way that the upper and the lower parts are reversed in position
2
: in or into great disorder
turned their world upside down
upside-down adjective

Examples of upside down in a Sentence

You hung the picture upside down! To remove the plant, turn the pot upside down and tap gently on the bottom to loosen it. The baby was holding the book upside down.
Recent Examples on the Web According to Tunnell, the dragons live on top of the water and float upside down. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 When turned upside down, a collection of tiny, multi-color balls make their way through the tube, creating a gentle, rainstick-like sound. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024 Despite her world turning upside down, Kimberly is determined to find happiness against all odds. The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 Hadestown itself is based on the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, two lovers whose lives are turned upside down when Eurydice is trapped in the underworld by Hades (Phillip Boykin). Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 His world is turned upside down as the Huns threaten to invade and an unexpected guest, Siegfried, arrives. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 His life was about to be turned upside down — literally. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 Western toads and tree frogs thrive in the spring water that seeps from the base of an arched alcove fortified with concrete and then into a murky pond where carp cruise beneath a battered life-size rubber duck floating upside down. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Is displaying an upside down U.S. flag legal in Texas? David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upside down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English up so doun, from up + so + doun down

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upside down was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near upside down

Cite this Entry

“Upside down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upside%20down. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

upside down

adverb
up·​side down ˌəp-ˌsīd-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce upside down (audio)
1
: with the upper part underneath and the lower part on top
2
: in or into great disorder
upside-down adjective

Legal Definition

upside down

adjective
: underwater
upside down mortgages
upside down homes
upside down homeowners

More from Merriam-Webster on upside down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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