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

a

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

an upward movement/flow

b

: directed toward the top (as of a piece of paper)

an upward stroke of the pen

c

: marked by an increase

an upward revision of the employment figures

2

: rising to a higher pitch

Her words had an upward inflection.

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

In astronauts who spent about a year aboard the International Space Station, some areas near the top of the brain moved upward by more than 2 millimeters, while the rest of the brain barely moved. —Rachael Seidler, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2026

The central chord progression’s pads and low-end synths begin at low volumes and swell upward as that resonant grain bites into the mix, the latter doing so with gate and delay effects before spiralling back downward. —Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Right now, Wrexham are in a sweet spot, still on an upward trajectory, still surpassing their supporters’ wildest dreams and still — despite their unlikely appeal to the American market — a team so intimately connected to their town and the fans on their doorstep. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026

My hostess stands in the middle of her guests and offers me the slightest of nods, the quick upward pull of an approving smile. —Danielle Parker, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

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