First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1up
adverb \ˈəp\
: from a lower to a higher place or position
: in a high position or place
: toward the sky or ceiling
Full Definition of UP
1
a (1) : in or into a higher position or level; especially : away from the center of the earth (2) : from beneath the ground or water to the surface (3) : from below the horizon (4) : upstream 1 (5) : in or into an upright position <sit up>; especially : out of bed b : upward from the ground or surface <pull up a daisy> c : so as to expose a particular surface
2
: with greater intensity <speak up>
3
a : in or into a better or more advanced state b : at an end <your time is up> c : in or into a state of greater intensity or excitement d : to or at a greater speed, rate, or amount <prices went up> e : in a continual sequence : in continuance from a point or to a point <from third grade up> <at prices of $10 and up> <up until now>
4
a (1) : into existence, evidence, prominence, or prevalence (2) : into operation or practical form b : into consideration or attention <bring up for discussion>
5
: into possession or custody
6
a : entirely, completely <button up your coat> b —used as an intensifier <clean up the house>
7
: in or into storage : by <lay up supplies>
8
a : so as to arrive or approach b : in a direction conventionally the opposite of down: (1) : to windward (2) : northward (3) : to or at the top (4) : to or at the rear of a theatrical stage
9
: in or into parts
10
: to a stop —usually used with draw, bring, fetch, or pull
11
: for each side <the score is 15 up>
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See up defined for kids
Origin of UP
partly from Middle English up upward, from Old English ūp; partly from Middle English uppe on high, from Old English; both akin to Old High German ūf up and probably to Latin sub under, Greek hypo under, hyper over — more at over
2up
adjective
: in a high place or position
: raised so as to be opened
: risen above the horizon
Full Definition of UP
1
a : risen above the horizon <the sun is up> b : standing c : being out of bed d : relatively high <the river is up> <was well up in her class> e : being in a raised position : lifted <windows are up> f : being in a state of completion : constructed, built g : having the face upward h : mounted on a horse <a new jockey up> i : grown above a surface <the corn is up> j (1) : moving, inclining, or directed upward <the up escalator> (2) : bound in a direction regarded as up
2
a (1) : marked by agitation, excitement, or activity (2) : positive or upbeat in mood or demeanor b : being above a former or normal level (as of quantity or intensity) <attendance is up> <the wind is up> c : exerting enough power (as for operation) <sail when steam is up> d : ready; specifically : highly prepared e : going on : taking place <find out what is up>
3
a : risen from a lower position <men up from the ranks> b : being at the same level or point <did not feel up to par> c (1) : well informed : abreast <up on the news> (2) : being on schedule <up on his homework> d : being ahead of one's opponent
4
a : presented for or undergoing consideration <contract up for negotiation>; also : charged before a court <up for robbery> b : being the one whose turn it is <you're up next>
— up against
: confronted with : face-to-face with <the problem we are up against>
— up to
1
: capable of performing or dealing with <feels up to the task>
2
: engaged in <what is he up to>
3
: being the responsibility of <it's up to me>
See up defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of UP
before 12th century
Related to UP
- Synonyms
- elevated, escalated, heightened, increased, jacked (up), raised, high
3up
preposition
Definition of UP
1
a —used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of <went up the stairs> b : up into or in the <was hid away up garret — Mark Twain>
2
a : in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of <lives a few miles up the coast> <walked up the street> b : toward or near a point closer to the source or beginning of <sail up the river>
3
: in the direction opposite to <sailed up the wind>
See up defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of UP
1509
4up
noun
: a period or state of success, happiness, etc.
Full Definition of UP
1
: one in a high or advantageous position
2
: an upward slope
3
: a period or state of prosperity or success
4
: 3upper
5
: a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of +2/3 and that is one of the constituents of a nucleon
See up defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of UP
1536
5up
verb
: to make (something) higher
upped \ˈəpt\ or in vi 2 upuppedup·pingups or in vi 2 up
Full Definition of UP
intransitive verb
1
a : to rise from a lying or sitting position b : to move upward : ascend
2
—used with and and another verb to indicate that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly or abruptly initiated <he up and quit his job>
transitive verb
See up defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of UP
1643
UP
abbreviation
Definition of UP
Upper Peninsula (of Michigan)
UP Defined for Kids
1up
adverb \ˈəp\
Definition of UP for Kids
1
: in or to a high or higher place or position <She put her hand up.>
2
: in or into a vertical position <Stand up.>
3
: from beneath a surface (as ground or water) <Come up for air.>
4
: with greater force or to a greater level <Speak up.> <Turn the heat up.>
5
: so as to make more active <Stir up the fire.>
6
: so as to appear or be present <The missing ring turned up.>
7
: completely <Use it up.>
8
: so as to approach or be near <He walked up and said “hello.”>
9
: from below the horizon <The sun came up.>
10
: out of bed <What time did you get up?>
11
: in or into a better or more advanced state <He worked his way up in the company.> <She grew up on a farm.>
12
: for consideration or discussion <I brought up the issue.>
13
: into the control of another <I gave myself up.>
14
—used to show completeness <Fill up the gas tank.>
15
: so as to be closed <Seal up the package.>
16
: in or into pieces <The puppy tore it up.>
17
: to a stop <Pull up at the curb.>
18
: into a working or usable state <I set up the computer.>
2up
adjective
Definition of UP for Kids
1
: risen above the horizon or ground <The sun is up.>
2
: being out of bed
3
: unusually high <Gas prices are up.>
4
: having been raised or built <The windows are up.> <The house is up.>
5
: moving or going upward <an up elevator>
6
: being busy and moving about <He likes to be up and doing things.>
7
: well prepared <Are you up for this challenge?>
8
: happy or excited <The team was up after their win.>
9
: going on <Find out what's up.>
10
: at an end <Time is up.>
11
: well informed <I'm not up on the latest news.>
12
: functioning correctly <The computer system is up.>
3up
preposition
Definition of UP for Kids
1
: to, toward, or at a higher point of <He climbed up a ladder.>
2
: to or toward the beginning of <We paddled up a river.>
3
: 1along 1 <Let's walk up the street.>
— up to
1
: as far as <We found ourselves in mud up to our ankles.>
2
: in accordance with <The game was not up to our standards.>
3
: to the limit of <The car holds up to six people.>
4up
noun
Definition of UP for Kids
: a period or state of doing well <You've had your ups and downs.>
5up
verb
uppedup·ping
Definition of UP for Kids
1
: to act suddenly or surprisingly <The teenager upped and left home.>
2
: to make or become higher <Coffee producers upped prices.>
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