upstairs

1 of 3

adverb

up·​stairs ˌəp-ˈsterz 

1

: up the stairs : on or to a higher floor

2

: to or at a high altitude or higher position

kicked upstairs to company management

3

: in the head : intellectually

a little slow upstairs

—Tom Clancy

upstairs

2 of 3

adjective

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsterz 

: situated above the stairs especially on an upper floor

an upstairs bedroom

upstairs

3 of 3

noun

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsterz 

ˈəp-ˌsterz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: the part of a building above the ground floor

Examples of upstairs in a Sentence

Adverb

When you go upstairs, bring these towels with you.

She was on her way upstairs when she heard a car drive up.

Adjective

You can use the upstairs bathroom.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Design cues from the restaurant upstairs, which was designed as a vintage yacht, carry through. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 13 May 2025

Postecoglou to Wrexham, Guardiola to Saudi and Frank upstairs? —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 12 May 2025

Adjective

The main lodge building is partially wheelchair accessible except for the lower dining room and upstairs lounges. —Kendall Hill, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025

Three upstairs bedrooms serviced by a hallway kitchenette include an ocean-view primary suite boasting a walk-in closet and a bath outfitted with dual vanities, a soaking tub, and a steam shower, with a lower-level den doubling as a fourth bedroom. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 May 2025

Noun

Casa Grande explores the intertwining lives of Northern California farmland families at the turn of the century, with an upstairs/downstairs take on themes of class, immigration, culture and family. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 May 2025

Maddie badly lies that Reagan's upstairs and scampers away to shut herself in the bathroom. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1782, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1842, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing upstairs

• kick upstairs
• man upstairs
• the man upstairs
• the upstairs

Rhymes for upstairs

• affaires
• affairs
• armchairs
• bulgars
• compares
• crosshairs
• declares
• despairs
• downstairs
• forbears
• forebears
• housewares

Kids Definition

upstairs

1 of 3 adverb

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz 

-ˈste(ə)rz

1

: up the stairs : to or on a higher floor

2

: to or at a higher position or level

upstairs

2 of 3 adjective

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz 

-ˈste(ə)rz

: located on an upper floor

the upstairs bedroom

upstairs

3 of 3 noun

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz  -ˈste(ə)rz 

ˈəp-ˌsta(ə)rz,

-ˌste(ə)rz

: the part of a building above the ground floor