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

Most of the Downright crowd was upstairs on the third floor for panels, but overall the hotel seemed like a fine interim central hub for music. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026

The structure projects spectacle and deference at the same time, keeping its distance at the bottom, coming in for a kiss upstairs, and then pulling flirtatiously away again at the top. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Sheriff’s corrections and court officials agreed that transporting in-custody defendants from upstairs cells to first-floor jail courtrooms remained the safest and simplest option. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Upon arrival, responding officers heard the sound of a gunshot from an upstairs apartment, according to Alayna Gonzalez, spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee updated March 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026

Noun

Just like upstairs, all of the elements sang together in perfect harmony. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights, which is in Yorkshire, needed a stable, an upstairs and a kitchen. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Feb. 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
• 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