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

E-commerce freelancers, photographers, T-shirt designers, influencer marketing freelancers, copywriters and tutors all make upward of $30 per hour on average, the analysis said. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 May 2026

At one time, the GABF annually drew upward of 60,000 people to the Convention Center over three days each fall, with dozens and dozens of local bars, breweries and restaurants hosting their own events, beer tappings and mini-festivals. —Jonathan Shikes, Denver Post, 28 May 2026

Adjective

And if the interest expense on our gigantic and ballooning national debt of $39 trillion weren’t already running at nearly $1 trillion a year, bigger than Medicare spending and equaling two-thirds of Social Security outlays, the half-point upward shift would likely prove manageable. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 30 May 2026

The upward cycle continued with a 10-man draw against Aston Villa and a first away win at Nottingham Forest. —Michael Walker, New York Times, 29 May 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