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

During the weeklong trial, the teenage boy testified that Roberts flirted with him by the pool before kissing him and later taking him upstairs. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

On Wednesday, Hobart Township board member Joe Clemmons posted on social media that the FBI and Indiana State Police executed a search warrant at Rosser Hall involving the New Chicago Police offices located upstairs, as well as the department’s evidence locker housed within the building. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026

Adjective

McNicholl also conceived of an upstairs lounge and jazz and cabaret club at the theater that is currently being constructed. —Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 June 2026

Fire investigators were focused on an upstairs room where the blaze appeared to have stated. —Tony Aiello, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Noun

Their upstairs is also a masterclass in color and pattern mixing—and serves as the ultimate kid zone. —Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026

Carnivores shouldn’t miss out on Peter upstairs—a rambling dining venue perched on the 24th floor, high above the rooms, that looks like a glitzy Vegas club complete with purple accents and ethereal, Avatar-esque light sculptures. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 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