upward

1 of 2

adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd 

variants or upwards

ˈəp-wərdz 

1

a

: in a direction from lower to higher

the kite rose upward

b(1)

: toward the source (as of a river)

(2)

: toward the interior (as of a region)

c

: in a higher position

held out his hand, palm upward

d

: in the upper parts : toward the head : above

from the waist upward

2

: toward a higher or better condition or level

young lawyers moving upward

3

a

: to an indefinitely greater amount, figure, or rank

from $5 upward

b

: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate

attendance figures have risen upward

4

: toward or into later years

from youth upward

upward

2 of 2

adjective

1

: directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending

2

: rising to a higher pitch

upwardly adverb

upwardness noun

Examples of upward in a Sentence

Adverb

The road gradually rose upward.

She directed my gaze upward.

They are moving upward socially and economically.

moving upward in the corporate world

Adjective

an upward revision of the vote tally

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Looking ahead, the Wave Music Committee will continue to explore the essence of music creation, going upstream in the surging tide of the era, leading Chinese music to continue growing upward. —Billboard China, Billboard, 24 June 2025

New York City houses upward of 37,000 migrants across 170 sites, as reported by AP. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 24 June 2025

Adjective

And then, the stock index continued its upward march as inflation and other indicators showed that Trump’s tariff war hadn’t yet seeped through the economy. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025

The discussion laid bare a system that is structurally failing the Global South and explored how it might be rebuilt. CPI data reveals that only about 10% of total climate finance currently goes toward adaptation, with little evidence of a significant upward trend. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upward

• onward and upward
• upward mobility
• upward of
• upward spiral

Kids Definition

upward

1 of 2 adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd 

variants or upwards

-wərdz 

1

: in a direction from lower to higher

the land rises upward

2

: toward a higher or better condition

worked my way upward in the business

3

: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate

prices shot upward

upward

2 of 2 adjective

: directed toward or located in a higher place or level : ascending

upwardly adverb