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

see also:

kick upstairs

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

Walsh was discovered upstairs, bloodied after apparently cutting herself with a knife, responding officers reported. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Eventually, Gloria had to go upstairs for another appointment. — Emma Watson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Adjective

While Dante Rowley and his fiancée were out of town during one of the most brutal heat waves of the year, a man broke into their San Diego home through an open upstairs window. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The county is hosting one-stop shops that began Wednesday and run daily through Saturday at Woodland Park’s upstairs Sycamore Room in Portage. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

After responding to an early morning call this particular day, most of the crew heads to the back of the station to stow their gear or upstairs to help prepare lunch. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Hafley will handle the defensive play-calling for the Dolphins but defensive coordinator Sean Duggan will be actively involved from an upstairs coaching booth. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2026

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
• compares
• crosshairs
• declares
• despairs
• downstairs
• forbears
• forebears
• housewares
• impairs

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