up ['əp] -adv
- in or into a higher position or level
- away from the center of the earth
- from beneath the ground or water to the surface
- from below the horizon
- upstream
- in or into an upright position
- out of bed
- upward from the ground or surface
- so as to expose a particular surface
- with greater intensity
- in or into a better or more advanced state
- at an end
- in or into a state of greater intensity or excitement
- to or at a greater speed, rate, or amount
- in a continual sequence : in continuance from a point or to a point
- into existence, evidence, prominence, or prevalence
- into operation or practical form
- into consideration or attention
- into possession or custody
- entirely, completely
- used as an intensifier
- in or into storage : by
- so as to arrive or approach
- : in a direction conventionally the opposite of down:
- to windward
- northward
- to or at the top
- to or at the rear of a theatrical stage
- in or into parts
- to a stop usu. used with draw, bring, fetch, or pull
- for each side
- risen above the horizon
- standing
- being out of bed
- relatively high
- being in a raised position : lifted
- being in a state of completion : constructed, built
- having the face upward
- mounted on a horse
- grown above a surface
- moving, inclining, or directed upward
- bound in a direction regarded as up
- marked by agitation, excitement, or activity
- positive or upbeat in mood or demeanor
- being above a former or normal level (as of quantity or intensity)
- exerting enough power (as for operation)
- ready
- highly prepared
- going on : taking place
- risen from a lower position
- being at the same level or point
- well informed : abreast
- being on schedule
- being ahead of one's opponent
- presented for or undergoing consideration
- contract up for negotiation
- charged before a court
- being the one whose turn it is
- used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of
- up into or in the
- was hid away up garret -- Mark Twain
- in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of
- lives a few miles up the coast
- toward or near a point closer to the source or beginning of
- in the direction opposite to
- one in a high or advantageous position
- an upward slope
- a period or state of prosperity or success
- upper
- a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of +2/3 and that is one of the constituents of a nucleon
- to rise from a lying or sitting position
- to move upward : ascend
- used with and and another verb to indicate that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly or abruptly initiated
- raise, lift
- : to advance to a higher level:
- increase
- promote
- raise
UP -abbr
- Upper Peninsula (of Michigan)
upandcom·ing [,əp-ən(d)-'kə-miŋ, ,əp-ᵊm-] -adj, n
- gaining prominence and likely to advance or succeed
- an upandcoming young actor
upanddown [-'dau̇n] -adj
- marked by alternate upward and downward movement, action, or surface
- perpendicular
up and down -adv, prep
- to and fro
- alternately upward and downward
- here and there esp. throughout an area
- with regard to every particular : thoroughly
- knew the territory up and down
upandup ['əp-ən-'əp] -n
- an honest or respectable course used in the phrase on the up-and-up
Upa·ni·shad [ü-'pä-ni-,shäd, yü-'pa-nə-,shad] -n, adj
- one of a class of Vedic treatises dealing with broad philosophic problems
upas ['yü-pəs] -n
- a tall tropical Asian tree ( Antiaris toxicaria) of the mulberry family with a latex that contains poisonous glycosides used as an arrow poison
- a poisonous concentrate of the juice or latex of a upas
- a poisonous or harmful influence or institution
up·beat ['əp-,bēt] -n
- an unaccented beat or portion of a beat in a musical measure
- the last beat of the measure
- an increase in activity or prosperity
- business that is on the upbeat
upbeat -adj
- cheerful, optimistic
upbow ['əp-,bō] -n
- a stroke in playing a bowed instrument in which the bow is moved across the strings from the tip to the heel
up·braid [,əp-'brād] -vt, n
- to criticize severely : find fault with
- to reproach severely : scold vehemently
up·bring·ing ['əp-,briŋ-iŋ] -n
- early training
- a particular way of bringing up a child
up·build [,əp-'bild] -vt
- build up
UPC -abbr
- Universal Product Code
up·cast ['əp-,kast] -n
- something cast up
up·chuck ['əp-,chək] -vb
- vomit
up close -adv or adj
- at close range
up·coast ['əp-'kōst] -adv
- up the coast
up·com·ing ['əp-,kə-miŋ] -adj
- forthcoming, approaching
upcoun·try ['əp-,kən-trē] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or characteristic of an inland, upland, or outlying region
up·date [,əp-'dāt] -vt
- to bring up to date
- an act or instance of updating
- current information for updating something
- an up-to-date version, account, or report
up·do ['əp-(,)dü] -n
- an upswept hairdo
up·draft ['əp-,draft, -,dräft] -n
- an upward movement of gas (as air)
up·end [,əp-'end] -vt
- to set or stand on end
- overturn
- to affect to the point of being upset or flurried
- a...literary shocker, designed to upend the credulous matrons -- Wolcott Gibbs
- defeat, beat
- to rise on an end
up·field ['əp-'fēld] -adv or adj
- in or into the part of the field toward which the offensive team is headed
upfront [,əp-'frənt, 'əp-,] -adj
- : being or coming in or at the front: as
- being in a conspicuous or leading position
- frank, forthright
- playing in a front line (as in football)
- paid or payable in advance
up front -adv
- in or at the front
- in advance
- in an up-front manner : frankly, forthrightly
up·grade ['əp-,grād] -n
- an upward grade or slope
- increase, rise
- improvement
- : to raise or improve the grade of: as
- to improve (livestock) by use of purebred sires
- to advance to a job requiring a higher level of skill esp. as part of a training program
- to raise the quality of
- to raise the classification and usu. the price of without improving the quality
- to extend the usefulness of (as a device)
- to assign a less serious status to
- upgraded the patient's condition to good
- to improve or replace esp. software or a device for increased usefulness
up·growth ['əp-,grōth] -n
- the process of growing upward : development
- a product or result of this
up·heav·al [,əp-'hē-vəl, (,)ə-'pē-] -n
- the action or an instance of upheaving esp. of part of the earth's crust
- extreme agitation or disorder : radical change
- an instance of this
up·heave [,əp-'hēv, (,)ə-'pēv] -vt, n
- to heave up : lift
- to move upward esp. with power
up·hill ['əp-'hil] -adv
- upward on a hill or incline
- against difficulties
- seemed to be talking uphill -- Willa Cather
- rising ground : ascent
- situated on elevated ground
- going up : ascending
- being the higher one or part esp. of a set
- being nearer the top of an incline
- difficult, laborious
up·hold [(,)əp-'hōld] -vt, n
- to give support to
- to support against an opponent
- to keep elevated
- to lift up
up·hol·ster [(,)əp-'hōl-stər, (,)ə-'pōl-] -vt, n
- to furnish with or as if with upholstery
up·hol·stery [-st(ə-)rē] -n
- materials (as fabric, padding, and springs) used to make a soft covering esp. for a seat
UPI -abbr
- United Press International
up·keep ['əp-,kēp] -n
- the act of maintaining in good condition : the state of being maintained in good condition
- the cost of maintaining in good condition
up·land ['əp-lənd, -,land] -n, adj
- high land esp. at some distance from the sea : plateau
- ground elevated above the lowlands along rivers or between hills
upland cotton -n
- a widely cultivated American cotton plant ( Gossypium hirsutum) having short- to medium-staple fibers
upland sandpiper -n
- a large short-billed American sandpiper ( Bartramia longicauda) that frequents fields and prairies called also upland plover
up·lift [(,)əp-'lift] -vt, n
- to lift up : elevate
- to cause (a portion of the earth's surface) to rise above adjacent areas
- to improve the spiritual, social, or intellectual condition of
- rise
- : an act, process, result, or cause of uplifting: as
- the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface
- an uplifted mass of land
- a bettering of a condition esp. spiritually, socially, or intellectually
- influences intended to uplift
- a social movement to improve esp. morally or culturally
- a brassiere designed to hold the breasts up
up·link ['əp-,liŋk] -n, vb
- a communications channel for transmissions to a spacecraft or satellite
- the transmissions themselves
- a facility on earth for transmitting to a spacecraft or satellite
up·load [(,)əp-'lōd, 'əp-,] -vt
- to transfer (as data or files) from a computer to the memory of another device (as a larger or remote computer)
up·man·ship ['əp-mən-,ship] -n
- one-upmanship
up·mar·ket ['əp-'mär-kət] -adj, adv
- upscale
up·most ['əp-,mōst] -adj
- uppermost
up·on [ə-'pȯn, -'pän] -prep
- on
- on the surface : on it
- thereafter, thereon
up·per ['ə-pər] -adj
- higher in physical position, rank, or order
- farther inland
- constituting the branch of a bicameral legislature that is usu. smaller and more restricted in membership and possesses greater traditional prestige than the lower house
- constituting a stratum relatively near the earth's surface
- being a later epoch or series of the period or system named
- northern
upper -n
- : one that is upper: as
- the parts of a shoe or boot above the sole
- an upper tooth or denture
- an upper berth
- a stimulant drug
- amphetamine
- something that induces a state of good feeling or exhilaration
up·per·case [,ə-pər-'kās] -adj
- capital
uppercase -n
- capital letters
- to print or set in capital letters
upper case -n
- a type case containing capitals and usu. small capitals, fractions, symbols, and accents
upperclass -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of the upper class
upper class -n
- a social class occupying a position above the middle class and having the highest status in a society
up·per·class·man [,ə-pər-'klas-mən] -n
- a member of the junior or senior class in a school or college
upper crust -n, adj
- the highest social class or group
- the highest circle of the upper class
up·per·cut ['ə-pər-,kət] -n, vb
- a swinging blow (as in boxing) directed upward with a bent arm
upper hand -n
- mastery, advantage, control
- was determined not to let the opposition get the upper hand
up·per·most ['ə-pər-,mōst] -adj, adv
- situated in the highest or most prominent position
- safety was uppermost in their minds
up·per·part [-,pärt] -n
- a part lying on the upper side (as of a bird)
upper respiratory -adj
- of, affecting, or being the part of the respiratory system that includes the nose, nasal passages, and nasopharynx
- upper respiratory infection
up·pish ['ə-pish] -adj, adv, n
- uppity
up·pi·ty ['ə-pə-tē] -adj, n
- putting on or marked by airs of superiority : arrogant, presumptuous
up·raise [(,)əp-'rāz] -vt
- to raise or lift up : elevate
up·rate ['əp-,rāt] -vt
- upgrade
- to improve the power output of (as an engine)
up·rear [-'rir] -vt
- to lift up
- erect
- rise
up·right ['əp-,rīt] -adj, adv, n
- perpendicular, vertical
- erect in carriage or posture
- having the main axis or a main part perpendicular
- marked by strong moral rectitude
upright -adv
- vertically upward : in an upright position
- the state of being upright : perpendicular
- something that stands upright
- a football goalpost usu. used in pl.
- upright piano
upright piano -n
- a piano with vertical frame and strings
up·rise [,əp-'rīz] -vi, n
- to rise to a higher position
- stand up
- to get out of bed
- to come into view esp. from below the horizon
- to rise up in sound
- an act or instance of uprising
- an upward slope
up·ris·ing ['əp-,rī-ziŋ] -n
- an act or instance of rising up
- a usu. localized act of popular violence in defiance usu. of an established government
up·riv·er ['əp-'ri-vər] -adv or adj
- toward or at a point nearer the source of a river
up·roar ['əp-,rȯr] -n
- a state of commotion, excitement, or violent disturbance
up·roar·i·ous [,əp-'rȯr-ē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- marked by uproar
- very noisy and full
- extremely funny
up·root [(,)əp-'rüt, -'ru̇t] -vt, n
- to remove as if by pulling up
- to pull up by the roots
- to displace from a country or traditional habitat
up·rush ['əp-,rəsh] -n
- an upward rush (as of gas or liquid)
- a sudden increase
UPS -abbr
- uninterruptible power supply
ups and downs -n pl
- alternating rise and fall esp. in fortune
up·scale ['əp-'skāl] -adj, adv or vt
- relating to, being, or appealing to affluent consumers
- of a superior quality
up·set [(,)əp-'set] -vb, n
- to thicken and shorten (as a heated bar of iron) by hammering on the end : swage
- to force out of the usual upright, level, or proper position : overturn
- to trouble mentally or emotionally : disturb the poise of
- to throw into disorder
- invalidate
- to defeat unexpectedly
- to cause a physical disorder in
- to make somewhat ill
- spicy food upset s my stomach
- to become overturned
- an act of overturning : overturn
- an act of throwing into disorder : derangement
- a state of disorder : confusion
- an unexpected defeat
- a minor physical disorder
- an emotional disturbance
- went through a big upset after his father's death
- a part of a rod (as the head on a bolt) that is upset
- the expansion of a bullet on striking
- emotionally disturbed or agitated
- was too upset to speak to him
up·set price ['əp-,set-] -n
- the minimum price set for property offered at auction or public sale
up·shift ['əp-,shift] -vi, n
- to shift an automotive vehicle into a higher gear
up·shot ['əp-,shät] -n
- the final result : outcome
up·side ['əp-,sīd] -n
- an upward trend (as of prices)
- a positive aspect
- promise, potential
- a young star with lots of upside
- up on or against the side of
- layin' in this death cell, writin' my time upside the wall -- Lonnie Johnson
- smacked him upside the head
up·side down ['əp-,sīd-'dau̇n] -adv, adj
- in such a way that the upper and the lower parts are reversed in position
- in or into great disorder
- turned their world upside down
upsidedown cake -n
- a cake baked with its batter covering an arrangement of fruit (as pineapple) and served with the fruit side up
up·si·lon ['üp-sə-,län, 'yüp-, 'əp-, -lən, Brit usu yüp-'sī-lən] -n
- the 20th letter of the Greek alphabet
- any of a group of unstable electrically neutral elementary particles of the meson family that have a mass about 10 times that of a proton
up·slope ['əp-'slōp] -adj or adv
- being or moving to or toward the top of a slope : uphill
up·spring [,əp-'spriŋ] -vi
- to spring up
- to come into being
up·stage ['əp-'stāj] -adv
- toward or at the rear of a theatrical stage
- away from a motion-picture or television camera
upstage -adj
- haughty
- of or relating to the rear of a stage
up·stage [,əp-'stāj] -vt
- to draw attention away from
- upstaging the competition
- to force (an actor) to face away from the audience by staying upstage
- to treat snobbishly
- the part of a stage that is farthest from the audience or camera
up·stairs [,əp-'sterz] -adv
- up the stairs : on or to a higher floor
- to or at a high altitude or higher position
- kicked upstairs to company management
- in the head : intellectually
- a little slow upstairs -- Tom Clancy
- situated above the stairs esp. on an upper floor
- the part of a building above the ground floor
up·stand·ing [,əp-'stan-diŋ, 'əp-,] -adj, n
- erect, upright
- marked by integrity
- an upstanding businessman
up·start [,əp-'stärt] -vi
- to jump up (as to one's feet) suddenly
- one that has risen suddenly (as from a low position to wealth or power) : parvenu
- one that claims more personal importance than is warranted
- a start-up enterprise
up·state ['əp-,stāt] -n, adv or adj
- the chiefly northerly sections of a state
- the chiefly rural part of a state when the major metropolitan area is in the south
up·stream ['əp-'strēm] -adv or adj
- in the direction opposite to the flow of a stream
- in or to a position within the production stream closer to manufacturing processes
- make most of its money upstream, selling cheap crude...to refineries -- John Quirt
up·stroke ['əp-,strōk] -n
- a stroke (as of a pen) made in an upward direction
up·surge ['əp-,sərj] -n
- a rapid or sudden rise
up·sweep ['əp-,swēp] -vi
- to sweep upward
upsweep -n
- an upward sweep
- an upswept hairdo
up·swept ['əp-,swept] -adj
- swept upward
- brushed up to the top of the head
up·swing ['əp-,swiŋ] -n
- an upward swing
- a marked increase or improvement
- a dramatic upswing in profits
often used in the phrase on the upswing - her career is on the upswing
up·take ['əp-,tāk] -n
- understanding, comprehension
- a flue leading upward
- an act or instance of absorbing and incorporating esp. into a living organism, tissue, or cell
uptem·po ['əp-,tem-(,)pō] -adj
- having a fast-moving tempo
- an aggressive uptempo style of basketball
up·throw ['əp-,thrō] -vt
- to throw or thrust upward
upthrow -n
- an upward displacement (as of a rock stratum) : upheaval, upthrust
up·thrust ['əp-,thrəst] -vt
- to thrust up
- to elevate (a part of the earth's surface) in an upthrust
- to rise with an upward thrust
upthrust -n
- an upward thrust
- an uplift of part of the earth's crust
up·tick ['əp-,tik] -n
- increase, rise
up·tight ['əp-'tīt, (,)əp-'] -adj, n
- being tense, nervous, or uneasy
- angry, indignant
- rigidly conventional
- being in financial difficulties
up·tilt [,əp-'tilt] -vt
- to tilt upward
up·time ['əp-,tīm] -n
- time during which a piece of equipment (as a computer) is functioning or able to function
up to -prep
- used as a function word to indicate extension as far as a specified place
- sank up to his knees in the mud
- used as a function word to indicate a limit or boundary
- up to 50,000 copies a month
- worked up to the last minute
uptodate -adj, adv, n
- extending up to the present time : including the latest information
- abreast of the times : modern
uptotheminute -adj
- extending up to the immediate present : including the very latest information
- marked by complete up-to-dateness
up·town ['əp-'tau̇n] -adj, adv
- of or relating to uptown
- upscale, fashionable
- the upper part of a town or city
- the residential district
up·trend ['əp-,trend] -n
- an upturn esp. in business or economic activity
up·turn ['əp-,tərn, ,əp-'] -vt
- to turn up or over
- to direct upward
- to turn upward
- an upward turn esp. toward better conditions or higher prices
up·ward ['əp-wərd] -adv
- in a direction from lower to higher
- toward the source (as of a river)
- toward the interior (as of a region)
- in a higher position
- held out his hand, palm upward
- in the upper parts : toward the head : above
- toward a higher or better condition or level
- young lawyers moving upward
- to an indefinitely greater amount, figure, or rank
- toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate
- attendance figures have risen upward
- toward or into later years
upward -adj, adv, n
- directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending
- rising to a higher pitch
upward mobility -n, adj
- the capacity or facility for rising to a higher social or economic position
upwards of -adv
- more than : in excess of
up·well [,əp-'wel] -vi
- to well up
- to move or flow upward
up·well·ing [-'we-liŋ] -n
- the process or an instance of rising or appearing to rise to the surface and flowing outward
- the process of upward movement to the ocean surface of deeper cold usu. nutrient-rich waters esp. along some shores due to the offshore movement of surface waters (as from the action of winds and the Coriolis force)
up·wind ['əp-'wind] -adv or adj
- in the direction from which the wind is blowing