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

One of the men pointed a gun at Bich, who was in the living room, while another went upstairs into the master bedroom, put a gun to Hann's head and forced him downstairs into the living room. —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

From what might be the world's largest spider web to a dog's unique way of going upstairs, this week's headlines left us speechless, and maybe a bit squirmish. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025

Adjective

The first-floor primary suite offers a private sanctuary with sweeping views, while three additional upstairs bedrooms and a separate guest or nanny suite over the garage ensure everyone has space to settle in. —Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Pet-friendly ground-floor rooms open onto peaceful gardens; upstairs suites are quieter, and accessed by stairs only. —Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025

Noun

That’s when this upstairs-downstairs comedy becomes a whodunit. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025

The pair aimed for more of the same upstairs. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 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