View synonyms for up

up

[ uhp ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

to, toward, or in a more elevated position:
to climb up to the top of a ladder.
to or in an erect position:
to stand up.
out of bed:
to get up.
above the horizon:
The moon came up.
to or at any point that is considered higher.
to or at a source, origin, center, or the like:
to follow a stream up to its source.
to or at a higher point or degree, as of rank, size, value, pitch, loudness, brightness, maturity, or speed:
to move up in a firm;
to pump up a tire;
to turn a lantern up;
Prices are going up.
Speak up! Hurry up!
ahead; in a leading position in a competition:
He managed to get up on his opponent by three points.
in continuing contact, especially as reflecting continuing awareness, knowledge, etc.:
to keep up with the latest developments in mathematics.
into or in activity, operation, etc.:
to set up vibrations.
into a state of emotional agitation or distress:
His insults left her all roiled up.
into existence, visible form, etc.:
His sample was worked up in the studio.
into view, prominence, or consideration:
The lost papers have turned up.
into or in a place of safekeeping, storage, retirement, etc.:
to lay up riches;
to put up preserves.
into or in a state of union, contraction, etc.:
to add up a column of figures;
to fold up.
to the required or final point:
to pay up one's debts;
burned up.
to a state of completion; to an end:
She finished it all up.
to a halt:
The riders reined up and dismounted.
Baseball. being the player or team batting; at bat.
(used as a function word for additional emphasis, sometimes preceded by it ):
Go wake your father up.
What plugged it up?
We laughed it up.
ahead of an opponent or opponents in points, games, etc.:
The golfer was two strokes up on his nearest competitor.
each; apiece:
The score was seven up in the final quarter.
(of machines or equipment, as computers) working; in working order or in operation.
Informal. without the addition of ice; straight up:
Bring me a martini, up.
Nautical. toward the wind:
Put the helm up.

preposition

to, toward, or at an elevated place on or in:
They went up the stairs.
The cat is up the tree.
to, toward, or at a high or higher station, condition, or rank on or in:
He is well up the social ladder.
at or to a farther point or higher place on or in:
She is up the street.
I'm going up the street.
toward the source, origin, etc., of:
up the stream.
toward a particular direction or in the interior of, as a region or territory:
The explorers were up north.
in a course or direction that is contrary to that of:
to row up the current.

adjective

moving in or related to a direction that is up or is regarded as up:
the up elevator;
the up train traveling north;
the up platform of a railroad station.
informed; familiar; aware (usually followed by on or in ):
She is always up on current events.
concluded; ended; finished; terminated:
The game is up.
Your hour is up.
going on or happening; taking place; occurring:
What's up over there?
having a high position or station:
He is up in society.
in an erect, vertical, or raised position:
The gate at the railroad crossing is up.
The tent is up.
above the earth or ground:
The corn is up and ready to be harvested.
in the air; aloft:
The meteorological balloons are up.
The airplanes are up for their reconnaissance flights.
(of heavenly bodies) risen above the horizon:
The sun is up.
awake or out of bed:
to be up with insomnia.
mounted on horseback:
He knows which jockeys are up in every race.
(of water in natural bodies) high with relation to the banks or shore:
The tide is up.
built; constructed:
The new museum is up and open to the public.
facing upward:
He is resting and his face is up.
sunny-side up.
(of roads, highways, etc.) having the surface broken or removed (usually used in combination):
a torn-up road.
in revolt, mutiny, or rebellious agitation:
Many territories were up and preparing to send troops against the government.
in a state of agitation:
Beware of him when his temper is up.
Informal. cheerful or optimistic; high-spirited; happy; exuberant; upbeat.
Informal. productive, favorable, or profitable:
a string of up months for the company.
afoot or amiss:
Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
in a state of enthusiastic or confident readiness (usually followed by for ):
The team was definitely up for the game.
bound; on the way:
She was on a ship up for Australia.
resolved in an unfavorable or undesired way:
They knew that their game was up.
higher than formerly in cost, amount, degree, etc.:
The price of meat was up.
(of age) advanced (usually followed by in ):
He is rather spry for a man so up in years.
active:
The captain wished to set sail as soon as the wind was up.
in a legal proceeding as defendant:
He is up for murder.
in operation or ready for use:
The theater's lights are up.
(of points or other standards used to determine the winner in a competition) ahead; in advance:
He won the game with two points up over his opponent.
considered or under consideration:
a candidate up for reelection;
a bill that is up before Congress.
wagered; bet:
He won all the money up in the game.
living or located inland or on elevated ground:
They live in a village two miles up from the coast.
(used with a preceding numeral to indicate that a score is tied in a competition):
It was 10 up at the end of the first half.
ahead of an opponent or opponents:
They scored three times in a row to go two up.

noun

an upward movement; ascent.
a rise of fortune, mood, etc.
a time of good fortune, prosperity, or happiness:
He has had more ups than downs in his career.
an upbound means of public transportation, as a train or bus.
Informal. a feeling or state of happiness, exuberance, or elation.
a person or thing that is in a favorable position of wealth, fortune, etc.:
People who were ups in the business world suffered losses in the economic depression.
an upward slope; elevation.
an upward course or rise, as in price or value:
The landlord promised his tenants there would be no further ups in the rent this year.
Slang. upper ².

verb (used with object)

, upped, up·ping.

to put or take up.
to make larger; step up:
to up output.
to raise; go better than (a preceding wager):
to up the ante.

verb (used without object)

, upped, up·ping.

Informal. to start up; begin something abruptly (usually followed by and and another verb):
Then he upped and ran away from home.
(often used imperatively or hortatively) to rise up:
Up, men, and fight until all the enemy are defeated!

up-

a combining form of up:
upland; upshot; upheaval.

up.

abbreviation for

underproof (alcohol).
upper.

U.P.

⁴

abbreviation for

Upper Peninsula.

abbreviation for

United Press
Uttar Pradesh

/ ʌp /

preposition

indicating movement from a lower to a higher position
climbing up a mountain
at a higher or further level or position in or on
soot up the chimney
a shop up the road

adverb

often particle to an upward, higher, or erect position, esp indicating readiness for an activity
up and doing something
looking up at the stars
particle indicating intensity or completion of an action
he tore up the cheque
drink up now!
to the place referred to or where the speaker is
the man came up and asked the way
1. to a more important place
  up to London
2. to a more northerly place
  up to Scotland
3. (of a member of some British universities) to or at university
4. in a particular part of the country
  up north
above the horizon
the sun is up
appearing for trial
up before the magistrate
having gained
ten pounds up on the deal
higher in price
coffee is up again
raised (for discussion, etc)
the plan was up for consideration
taught
well up in physics
functioning as imperative get, stand, etc, up
up with you!
all up with informal.
all up with
1. over; finished
2. doomed to die
up with
up with functioning as imperative wanting the beginning or continuation of
up with the monarchy!
something's up informal.
something's up something strange is happening
up against
up against
1. touching
2. having to cope with
  look what we're up against now
up and running
up and running in operation; functioning properly
up for
up for
1. as a candidate or applicant for
  he's up for re-election again
2. keen or willing to try
  she's up for anything
up for it informal.
up for it keen or willing to try something out or make a good effort
it's a big challenge and I'm up for it
up to
up to
1. devising or scheming; occupied with
  she's up to no good
2. dependent or incumbent upon
  the decision is up to you
3. equal to (a challenge, etc) or capable of (doing, etc)
  are you up to playing in the final?
4. aware of
  up to a person's tricks
5. as far as
  up to his waist in mud
6. as many as
  up to two years' waiting time
7. comparable with
  not up to your normal standard
up top informal.
up top in the head or mind
up yours slang.
up yours a vulgar expression of contempt or refusal
what's up? informal.
what's up?
1. what is the matter?
2. what is happening?

adjective

predicative of a high or higher position
predicative out of bed; awake
the children aren't up yet
prenominal of or relating to a train or trains to a more important place or one regarded as higher
the up platform
predicative over or completed
the examiner announced that their time was up
predicative beating one's opponent by a specified amount
three goals up by half-time

verb

tr to increase or raise
informal.
intr; foll by and with a verb to do (something) suddenly, unexpectedly, etc
she upped and married someone else

noun

high point; good or pleasant period (esp in the phrase ups and downs )
See upper
slang.
another word (esp US) for upper
on the up and up
on the up and up
1. trustworthy or honest
2. on the upward trend or movement
  our firm's on the up and up
up oneself slang.
up oneself self-absorbed or arrogant
he's so up himself

up-

prefix

up, upper, or upwards
uproot
upgrade
upmost
uplift
upthrust

Discover More

Usage

The use of up before until is redundant and should be avoided: the talks will continue until (not up until ) 23rd March

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of up¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English up(pe) (adverb), Old English up(p) “to a higher position,” uppe “in a higher position”; cognate with Old Frisian up, Old Saxon up, Middle Dutch up, op, Old Norse upp; akin to Old High German ūf (which gave rise to German auf ), Gothic iup

Origin of up²

Middle English; Old English

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of up¹

Old English upp; related to Old Saxon, Old Norse up, Old High German ūf, Gothic iup

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

all up with, at or approaching the end of; with defeat or ruin imminent for:
He realized it was all up with him when the search party began to close in.
on the up and up, Informal. frank; honest; sincere: Also on the up-and-up.
He seems to be on the up and up.
up against it, in a difficult situation, especially in financial straits:
There was no one to help him when he was up against it.
up against, faced or confronted with:
They were up against formidable obstacles.
up and around, recovered from an illness; able to leave one's bed. Also up and about.
up and doing, Informal. actively engaged; alert; busy:
During her convalescence she longed to be up and doing.
up and down,
1. back and forth; backward and forward:
  He paced up and down.
2. from top to bottom or head to toe:
  She looked me up and down before replying.
up for, considered as eligible or as a possibility for (something):
The child is up for adoption.
Three actresses are up for the role.
up to,
1. as far as or approaching (a certain part, degree, point, etc.):
  She went wading up to her knees.
  I am up to the eighth lesson.
2. in full realization or attainment of:
  He worked up to president of the company.
3. as many as; to the limit of:
  The car will seat up to five persons.
4. having adequate powers or ability for; capable of; equal to:
  He didn't think I was up to the job.
5. the duty or responsibility of; incumbent upon:
  It's up to you to break the news to him.
6. engaged in; contriving; doing:
  What have you been up to lately?
up your ass, Slang: Vulgar. shove ¹( def 9 ). Also up yours.
go up in one's lines. line ¹( def 71 ).
straight up. straight ( def 34 ).

More idioms and phrases containing up

act up
add up
add up to
all shook up
all up
ante up
back up
ball up
bang up
bark up the wrong tree
bear up
beat up
beef up
bid up
blow up
bob up
bone up
boot up
bottle up
bound up in
brace up
break up
bring up
bring up the rear
bring up to date
brush up
buckle up
buck up
buddy up
build up
bump up
burn up
butter up
button up
buy up
call up
camp it up
card up one's sleeve
catch up
chalk up
charge up
chat up
cheer up
choke up
choose up
clam up
clean up
clear up
clock up
close up
cloud over (up)
come (up) from behind
come up
come up against
come up roses
come up with
cook up
cough up
cover up
cozy up
cracked up
crack up
crank up
crap up
creep up on
crop up
cross up
curl up
cut up
dead from the neck up
dig up
doll up
double up
do up
draw up
dream up
dress up
drum up
dry up
ease off (up)
eat out (someone up)
eat up
end up
face up to
fed to the gills (up)
feel up
feel up to
figure up
fire up
fit out (up)
fix up
fix up with
flare up
fold up
follow up
foul up
from the ground up
fuck up
game is up
gang up
gas up
get someone's back up
get up
get up on the wrong side of bed
get up steam
give oneself up
give up
give up the ghost
go belly up
goof up
go up
go up in flames
grow up
gum up
ham up
hands up
hang up
hard up
haul up
have had it (up to here)
heads up
head up
heat up
hit up
hold one's end up
hold one's head high (up)
hold up
hole up
hook up
hopped up
hurry up and wait
hush up
jack up
jazz up
juice up
keep it up
keep one's chin up
keep (someone) up
key up
kick up
kick up a fuss
kick up one's heels
kiss and make up
knock up
laid up
land in (up)
lap up
lark it up
laugh up one's sleeve
lay in (up)
lead down (up) the garden path
lead up to
leg up
let up
lighten up
light up
line up
live it up
live up to
lock up
look over (up and down)
look up
louse up
make up
make up for lost time
make up one's mind
make up to
mark up
measure up
meet up with
mess up
mix it up
mix up
mop up
mop up the floor with
move up
muck up
not all it's cracked up to be
number's up
one up
on the up-and-up
open up
own up
pair off (up)
pass up
patch up
pay up
pep someone up
perk up
pick up
pick up on
pile up
pipe up
play up
play up to
pluck up
point up
pony up
pop up
prick up one's ears
psych up
pull oneself up
pull up
pull up stakes
pump up
push up daisies
put one's feet up
put someone up to
put up
put-up job
put up or shut up
put up with
rack up
rake up
read up
rev up
ride up
right-side up
right up one's alley
ring up
roll up
roll up one's sleeves
rough up
round up
rub up on
run (up) against
run up
rustle up
save up for
scare up
scrape up an acquaintance
screw up
scrounge around (up)
scrub up
seal off (up)
seize up
send up
serve up
settle up
set up
set up housekeeping
sew up
shack up
shake up
shape up
shine up to
shoot up
shore up
shot up
show up
shut up
sign up
sit up
sit up and take notice
size up
slip up
slow up
smell up
snap up
soak up
soften up
somebody up there loves me
speak out (up)
speed up
spit up
spruce up
square up
stack up
stand up
stand up and be counted
stand up for
stand up to
stand up with
start up
steamed up
step up
stick up
stir up
stir up a hornets' nest
stop up
straighten up
straight up
string up
suck up to
suit up
sum up
take up
take up a collection
take up arms
take up for
take up on
take up space
take up where one left off
take up with
talk up
tank up
team up with
think up
throw up
throw up one's hands
thumbs up
tie up
time is up
tone down (up)
tool up
(up) to the hilt
touch up
trade down (up)
trial balloon, send up a
trip up
trump up
tune up
turn up
turn up one's nose
turn up one's toes
turn up the heat
turn up trumps
wait up
wake-up call
warm up
wash up
what's cooking (up)
what's (up) with
whip up
whoop it up
wind up
wise up
worked up
work one's way (up)
work up
wrapped up
wrap up
write up
upper

Discover More

Example Sentences

“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.

From The Daily Beast

In that photo, Merabet has a big smile that spreads across his whole face and lights up his eyes.

From The Daily Beast

We won't find out this season, though it comes up occasionally.

From The Daily Beast

Kickstarter is one start-up platform that seems to have realized the danger.

From The Daily Beast

The most recent issue contains detailed instructions for building car bombs, and the magazine frequently draws up hit-lists.

From The Daily Beast

What need to look to right or left when you are swallowing up free mile after mile of dizzying road?

From Project Gutenberg

Most of the men leaped up, caught hold of spears or knives, and rushed out.

From Project Gutenberg

Some weeks after, the creditor chanced to be in Boston, and in walking up Tremont street, encountered his enterprising friend.

From Project Gutenberg

In less than ten minutes, the bivouac was broken up, and our little army on the march.

From Project Gutenberg

The bride elect rushes up to him, and so they both step down to the foot-lights.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse