upward

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

Examples of upward in a Sentence

The road gradually rose upward.

She directed my gaze upward.

They are moving upward socially and economically.

moving upward in the corporate world

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Particle counts, drawn upward by warm air, peaked within the market’s core before dropping sharply just one kilometer away at The Or Foundation’s headquarters and falling further in the residential neighborhood of Osu, 3 kilometers out. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 May 2026

Heads tilted upward, phones came out. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

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