up

1. Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position.
   1. not comparableAway from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.

      Shoots grow up and roots grow down.

      1 more example

      I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.

      Synonyms: alley oop

   2. not comparableTo or at a physically higher or more elevated position.

      He lives up in the hills.

      3 more examples

      All day we climbed up and up.

      Lift the carpet up and look underneath.

      1925, Walter Anthony and Tom Reed (titles), Rupert Julian (director), The Phantom of the Opera, silent movie ‘The Phantom! The Phantom is up from the cellars again!’

   3. not comparableTo an upright or erect position.

      sit up; stand up; get up out of bed

   4. figurativelynot comparableTo a higher level of some quantity or notional quantity, such as price, volume, pitch, happiness, etc.

      Turn it up, I can barely hear it.

      3 more examples

      Gold has gone up with the uncertainty in the world markets.

      Listen to your voice go up at the end of a question.

      Cheer up, the weekend's almost here.

2. Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”.
   1. not comparableTo or towards what is considered the top of something, irrespective of whether this is presently physically higher.

      Go back up to the top of the page.

      2 more examples

      As I lay on my back, a pain shot up from my toes to my chest.

      Let’s move up to the front of the bus.

   2. not comparableTo the north (as north is at the top of typical maps).

      I live in Florida, but I'm going up to New York to visit my family this weekend.

   3. not comparableTowards or at a central place, or any place that is visualised as ‘up’ by virtue of local features or local convention, or arbitrarily, irrespective of direction or elevation change.

      He lives up by the railway station.

      2 more examples

      We travelled from Yorkshire up to London.

      I'm going up to the other end of town.

   4. not comparablerail transportTowards the principal terminus, towards milepost zero.
   5. UKdatednot comparableacademiaTo university, especially to Cambridge or Oxford.

      She's going up to read Classics this September.

      3 more examples

      The son of the Dean of Lichfield was only three years older than Steele, who was a lad of only twelve, when at the age of fifteen, Addison went up to Oxford.

      1867, John Timbs, Lives of wits and humourists, page 125

      Others insinuated that women 'crowded up to Cambridge', not for the benefits of a higher education, but because of the proximity of 2,000 young men.

      1998, Rita McWilliams Tullberg, Women at Cambridge, page 112

      A precocious mathematician, Babbage was already well versed in the Continental mathematical notations when he went up to Cambridge.

      2002, Peter Harman, Cambridge Scientific Minds, page 79

   6. not comparablenauticalAgainst the wind or current.
   7. not comparableTowards the source of a river, against the direction of flow.

      We started in London and rowed all the way up to Oxford.

   8. not comparableCartesian graphIn a positive vertical direction.
3. not comparableTo or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, etc.; usually followed by to or with.

   I was up to my chin in water.

   2 more examples

   A stranger came up and asked me for directions.

   I'm going to be walking quickly, but try to keep up with me.

4. emphaticintensifiernot comparableUsed as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state; thoroughly, completely.

   He really messed up.

   5 more examples

   I will mix up the puzzle pieces.

   Tear up the contract.

   Please type up our monthly report.

   Drink up. The pub is closing.

   Can you sum up your research?

5. not comparableTo one's possession or consideration.

   I picked up some milk on the way home.

   1 more example

   The committee will take up your request.

6. not comparableFrom one's possession or consideration.

   Instead of apologising, he offered up excuse after excuse.

   1 more example

   She had to give up her driver's license after the accident.

7. not comparableAside or away, so as no longer to be present or in use.

   to lay up riches; put up your weapons

8. not comparableball gamesRelatively close to the batsman.

   The bowler pitched the ball up.

9. USnot comparableWithout additional ice.

   A Cosmopolitan is typically served up.

1. Toward the top of.

   They walk up the steps.

   3 more examples

   The cat climbed up the tree.

   Her eyes scanned up and down the page.

   Judge Short had gone to town, and Farrar was off for a three days' cruise up the lake. I was bitterly regretting I had not gone with him when the distant notes of a coach horn reached my ear, and I descried a four-in-hand winding its way up the inn road from the direction of Mohair.

   1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC

2. Toward the center, source, or main point of reference; toward the end at which something is attached.

   I felt something crawling up my arm.

   1 more example

   The information made its way up the chain of command to the general.

3. From south to north of.

   We sailed up the East Coast of England from Ipswich to South Shields.

   1 more example

   Though the storm raged up the East Coast, it has become increasingly apparent that New Jersey took the brunt of it.

   2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, New York Times, retrieved 31 Oct 2012

4. Further along (in any direction).

   Go up the street until you see the sign.

5. From the mouth towards the source of (a river or waterway).

   He led an expedition up the Amazon.

6. slangvulgarOf a person: having sex with.

   Phwoar, look at that bird. I'd love to be up her.

7. colloquialAt (a given place, especially one imagined to be higher or more distant from a central location).

   I'll see you later up the snooker club.

   1 more example

   “I'll tell you how I got on in the fight if I should see you up the Smokers.”

   2016, Alan Moore, Jerusalem, Liveright, published 2016, page 94

1. not comparableFacing upwards.

   Turn the cloth over so that the patterned side is up.

   1 more example

   Suppose that we roll a fair die and flip a fair coin in a game that awards 10 dollars whenever one pip shows on the up face of the die and 2 dollars whenever a head shows on the up side of the coin.

   1983, Gary E. Meek, Stephen J. Turner, Statistical Analysis for Business Decisions, page 41

2. not comparableOn or at a physically higher level.

   The flood waters are up again across large areas of the country.

3. not comparableHeaded or designated to go upward (as an escalator, stairway, elevator etc.) or toward (as a run-up).

   Where is the up escalator?

4. not comparableFitted or fixed at a high or relatively high position, especially on a wall or ceiling.

   All the notices are up now.

   1 more example

   The Christmas decorations are up.

5. broadlynot comparableAvailable to view or use; made public; posted.

   Is your new video up yet? I looked on the website, but I couldn't find it.

6. not comparableAloft.

   The kite is up!

7. not comparableRaised; lifted.

   The castle drawbridge was up.

   1 more example

   Don't go into the living room just now – I've got the carpet up.

8. Australianot comparableOf a river, in flood or at a high level.

   In the late afternoon we rode among the fine trees of the Barker, which was ‘up’ too, but not so strongly as the Lennard.

   1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 9

9. not comparableBuilt, constructed.

   Are the new buildings up yet?

10. not comparableStanding; upright.

    The audience were up and on their feet.

11. not comparableobsoleteRisen up, rebelling, in revolt.

    The fearefull newes that whilſt the flame doth but begin, Sad pollicie may ſerue to quench the fire: The Commons nowe are vp in Kent, let vs not ſuffer this firſt attempt too farre.

    1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], →OCLC, Act I

12. not comparableAwake and out of bed.

    I can’t believe it’s 3 a.m. and you’re still up.

    1 more example

    So if you find yourself regularly up late at night, basking in the TV's glow, you might be doing more than just depriving yourself of sleep.

    2025 December 9, Veronique Greenwood, “Your Bedroom Probably Isn't Dark Enough”, in TIME

    Synonyms: upright

13. not comparablehobbiesRiding the horse; mounted.
14. not comparableAbove the horizon, in the sky.

    It'll get warmer once the sun's up.

    1 more example

    I have said I was still in darkness, yet it was not the blackness of the last night; and looking up into the inside of the tomb above, I could see the faintest line of light at one corner, which showed the sun was up.

    [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC

15. not comparableLarger; greater in quantity, volume, value etc.

    My temperature is up this morning.

    1 more example

    Sales are up compared to last quarter.

16. not comparableIndicating a larger or higher quantity.

    The barometer is up, so fine weather should be on the way.

17. not comparableAhead; leading; winning.

    The home team were up by two goals at half-time.

18. not comparablepredicativeFinished, at an end.

    Time is up!

    1 more example

    Her contract is up next month, so it's time to negotiate another one.

19. not comparableIn a good mood.

    I’m feeling up today.

20. not comparableusually in the phrase up forWilling; ready.

    If you are up for a trip, let’s go.

21. not comparableNext in a sequence.

    Smith is up to bat.

22. not comparablepredicativeHappening; new; of concern. See also what's up, what's up with.

    What's up, bro?

    2 more examples

    What is up with that project at headquarters?

    When I saw his face, I knew something was up.

23. not comparablepostpositionalcard gamesSaid of the higher-ranking pair in a two pair.

    AAKK = aces up

    1 more example

    QQ33 = queens up

24. not comparableWell-informed; current.

    I’m not up on the latest news. What’s going on?

25. not comparablecomputingFunctional; working.

    Is the server back up?

26. not comparableTraveling towards a major terminus.

    The London train is on the up line.

27. USnot comparableChilled and served without ice; (often specifically) shaken with ice and then strained into a coupe for serving, leaving the ice behind.

    Would you like that drink up or on ice?

28. not comparableslangErect.
29. UKdatednot comparableAt university (especially Oxford or Cambridge).

    When I was up (1965–68) I had a group of idle friends who occupied their time and mine betting on horses, getting drunk and sprawling about telling creepy tales.

    2002, Philip Pullman, “Dreaming of Spires”, in Daemon Voices, Vintage, published 2017, page 98

30. not comparableslangartsWell-known; renowned.

    Won by Park Top (Lester Piggott up), at Epsom on June 5, 1969

    2003, Nicolas Barker, The Devonshire Inheritance: Five Centuries of Collecting at Chatsworth

    3 more examples

    Being "up" means having numerous graffiti in the tagging landscape.

    1996, Matthew Busby Hunt, The Sociolinguistics of Tagging and Chicano Gang Graffiti, page 71

    Graffiti writers want their names seen by writers and others so that they will be famous. Therefore writers are very serious about any opportunity to “get up.” […] The throw-up became one of the fundamental techniques for getting up, and thereby gaining recognition and fame.

    2009, Gregory J. Snyder, Graffiti Lives: Beyond the Tag in New York's Urban Underground, pages 16–40

    From his great rooftop pieces, selected for high visibility, to his sneaky tags and fun loving stickers, he most certainly knows how to get up.

    2011, Adam Melnyk, Visual Orgasm: The Early Years of Canadian Graffiti

plural ups

1. uncountableThe direction opposed to the pull of gravity.

   Up is a good way to go.

2. countableA positive thing, or a time or situation when things are going well.

   I've been on an up all this week.

   3 more examples

   I hate almost everything about my job. The only up is that it's so close to home.

   There are many ups to caravanning, but also many downs.

   One last impression — and one of the biggest "ups" for me — was the Saturday night cultural presentations.

   1976 February 14, Michael Bumblebee, “Gay Folks and The 'Hard Times'”, in Gay Community News, volume 3, number 33, page 3

3. countableparticleuncountablenatural sciencesAn up quark.
4. countableuncountableAn upstairs room of a two story house.

   She lives in a two-up two-down.

present singular third person ups · participle present upping · participle past upped · past upped

1. in certain phrasespoetictransitiveTo physically raise or lift.

   We upped anchor and sailed away.

2. colloquialtransitiveTo increase the level or amount of.

   As usual, they've upped the prices for Valentine's Day.

   5 more examples

   If we up the volume, we may be able to hear what he says.

   My psychiatrist upped my guanfacine dose since ADHD symptoms have not gotten better.

   Part of the woman's mystique, I guess. Makes people want to meet her all the more. A year ago, she upped her stock with that crowd when she bought the Midnight Star — among the world's most famous star sapphires

   2008, Randy Wayne White, Black Widow, page 181

   After a dreadful performance in the opening 45 minutes, they upped their game after the break and might have taken at least a point from the match.

   2011 December 10, Marc Higginson, “Bolton 1 - 2 Aston Villa”, in BBC Sport

   It says that while European countries upped their subsidies by 6% between 2018-20, the growth in business was only 0.45%.

   2023 November 29, “Network News: European services 'stifled by subsidies', says ALLRAIL”, in RAIL, number 997, page 21

3. colloquialtransitiveTo promote.

   It wasn’t long before they upped him to Vice President.

   3 more examples

   The other day Mr. Meyer came to see me in Weinbergers, it caused a great sensation & I think upped me a lot in prestige there

   1940, Jessica Mitford, Peter Y. Sussman, Decca: The Letters of Jessica Mitford, published 2010, page 64

   "Ryker's a--" He swallowed. "A cop. Used to work Sleeve Theft, then they upped him to the Organic Damage Division.

   2003, Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon, page 136

   (And who, by the way, got his start as a producer from Desi Arnaz, who upped him from film editor to take charge of the Desilu series The Untouchables

   2005, Larry Brody, Turning Points in Television, page 70

4. in compoundsintransitiveoftenTo rise to a standing position; hence, by extension, to act suddenly; see also up and.

   He just upped and quit.

   4 more examples

   She was sitting there quietly, then all of a sudden she upped and left.

   He upped and punched that guy.

   But the swagman he up and jumped into the waterhole, Drowning himself by the coolibah tree. And his ghost may be heard as it sings by the billabong, 'Who'll come a'waltzing Matilda, with me.'

   1895, “Waltzing Matilda”, Banjo Paterson (lyrics)

   And she didn't leave a letter, she just upped and ran away

   1991, Michael Jackson, “Who Is It”

5. archaicintransitivepoeticTo ascend; to climb up.

   "Will ye up, lass, and ride behind me?".

   1863, Charles Kingsley, The Water Babies, page 10

6. slangtransitivecomputingTo upload.

   100 new apps and games have just been upped.

1. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of Upper Peninsula.
2. abbreviationinitialismlifestyleInitialism of United Presbyterian.
3. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of Uttar Pradesh: a state of India.

   To study old photographs from UP villages like the one where Ram Dass lived is to be reminded of how rural history writes upon the body.

   2017, Sunil Khilnani, Incarnations, Penguin, page 402

4. abbreviationinitialismcomputingInitialism of Unified Process.
5. PhilippinesabbreviationinitialismInitialism of University of the Philippines.
6. abbreviationinitialismrail transportInitialism of Union Pacific.

plural UPs

1. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of unqualified prospect.
2. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of university press.

   Oxford UP; Princeton UP