Pronunciations (12)
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/ʌp/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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[ʌʔp]
Pronunciation notes
- UK
-
[ɐʔp]
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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[ʊp]
Pronunciation notes
- Northern-England
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/ʌp/
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- General-American
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[ʌp̚]
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- General-American
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[ʌp]
-
[ʊp]
-
/ɐp/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
- New-Zealand
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ʌp
Pronunciation notes
- GB
-
ʌp
Pronunciation notes
- US
-
ap
Pronunciation notes
- AU
Adverb
Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position. Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.
Shoots grow up and roots grow down.
Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position. To or at a physically higher or more elevated position.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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All day we climbed up and up.
Lift the carpet up and look underneath.
More examples (2)
He lives up in the hills.
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!’
Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position. To an upright or erect position.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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sit up; stand up; get up out of bed
Indicating movement towards or location at a higher place or position. To a higher level of some quantity or notional quantity, such as price, volume, pitch, happiness, etc.
Usage- Figurative
- not-comparable
- Examples
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Gold has gone up with the uncertainty in the world markets.
Turn it up, I can barely hear it.
More examples (2)
Listen to your voice go up at the end of a question.
Cheer up, the weekend's almost here.
Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. To or towards what is considered the top of something, irrespective of whether this is presently physically higher.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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Go back up to the top of the page.
As I lay on my back, a pain shot up from my toes to my chest.
More examples (1)
Let’s move up to the front of the bus.
Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. To the north (as north is at the top of typical maps).
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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I live in Florida, but I'm going up to New York to visit my family this weekend.
Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. Towards 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.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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We travelled from Yorkshire up to London.
I'm going up to the other end of town.
More examples (1)
He lives up by the railway station.
Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. Towards the principal terminus, towards milepost zero.
Usage- not-comparable
Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. To university, especially to Cambridge or Oxford.
Usage- UK usage
- Dated
- not-comparable
- Examples
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She's going up to read Classics this September.
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.
More examples (2)
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.
A precocious mathematician, Babbage was already well versed in the Continental mathematical notations when he went up to Cambridge.
Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. Against the wind or current.
Usage- not-comparable
Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. Towards the source of a river, against the direction of flow.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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We started in London and rowed all the way up to Oxford.
Indicating movement in any other direction visualised as “up”. In a positive vertical direction.
Usage- not-comparable
To 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.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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I was up to my chin in water.
A stranger came up and asked me for directions.
More examples (1)
I'm going to be walking quickly, but try to keep up with me.
Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state; thoroughly, completely.
Usage- emphatic
- intensifier
- not-comparable
- Examples
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I will mix up the puzzle pieces.
Tear up the contract.
More examples (6)
He really messed up.
Please type up our monthly report.
Drink up. The pub is closing.
Can you sum up your research?
The meteor burned up in the atmosphere.
I need to sew up the hole in this shirt.
To one's possession or consideration.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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I picked up some milk on the way home.
The committee will take up your request.
From one's possession or consideration.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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She had to give up her driver's license after the accident.
Instead of apologising, he offered up excuse after excuse.
Aside or away, so as no longer to be present or in use.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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to lay up riches; put up your weapons
Relatively close to the batsman.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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The bowler pitched the ball up.
Without additional ice.
Usage- US usage
- not-comparable
- Examples
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A Cosmopolitan is typically served up.
Preposition
Toward the top of.
- Examples
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The cat climbed up the tree.
They walk up the steps.
More examples (2)
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.
Toward the center, source, or main point of reference; toward the end at which something is attached.
- Examples
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The information made its way up the chain of command to the general.
I felt something crawling up my arm.
From south to north of.
- Examples
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We sailed up the East Coast of England from Ipswich to South Shields.
Though the storm raged up the East Coast, it has become increasingly apparent that New Jersey took the brunt of it.
Further along (in any direction).
- Examples
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Go up the street until you see the sign.
From the mouth towards the source of (a river or waterway).
- Examples
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He led an expedition up the Amazon.
Of a person: having sex with.
Usage- Slang
- Vulgar
- Examples
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Phwoar, look at that bird. I'd love to be up her.
At (a given place, especially one imagined to be higher or more distant from a central location).
Usage- Colloquial
- Examples
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I'll see you later up the snooker club.
“I'll tell you how I got on in the fight if I should see you up the Smokers.”
Adjective
Facing upwards.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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Turn the cloth over so that the patterned side is up.
More examples (1)
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.
On or at a physically higher level.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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The flood waters are up again across large areas of the country.
Headed or designated to go upward (as an escalator, stairway, elevator etc.) or toward (as a run-up).
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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Where is the up escalator?
Fitted or fixed at a high or relatively high position, especially on a wall or ceiling.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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All the notices are up now.
The Christmas decorations are up.
Available to view or use; made public; posted.
Usage- broadly
- not-comparable
- Examples
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Is your new video up yet? I looked on the website, but I couldn't find it.
Aloft.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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The kite is up!
Raised; lifted.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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The castle drawbridge was up.
Don't go into the living room just now – I've got the carpet up.
Of a river, in flood or at a high level.
Usage- Australia
- not-comparable
- Examples
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In the late afternoon we rode among the fine trees of the Barker, which was ‘up’ too, but not so strongly as the Lennard.
Built, constructed.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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Are the new buildings up yet?
Standing; upright.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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The audience were up and on their feet.
Risen up, rebelling, in revolt.
Usage- not-comparable
- Obsolete
- Examples
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More examples (1)
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.
Awake and out of bed.
Usage- not-comparable
- Synonyms
- Examples
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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.
I can’t believe it’s 3 a.m. and you’re still up.
Riding the horse; mounted.
Usage- not-comparable
Above the horizon, in the sky.
Usage- not-comparable
- of the sun or moon
- Examples
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It'll get warmer once the sun's up.
More examples (1)
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.
Larger; greater in quantity, volume, value etc.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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Sales are up compared to last quarter.
My temperature is up this morning.
Indicating a larger or higher quantity.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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The barometer is up, so fine weather should be on the way.
Ahead; leading; winning.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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The home team were up by two goals at half-time.
Finished, at an end.
Usage- not-comparable
- predicative
- Examples
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Time is up!
Her contract is up next month, so it's time to negotiate another one.
In a good mood.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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I’m feeling up today.
Willing; ready.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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If you are up for a trip, let’s go.
Next in a sequence.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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Smith is up to bat.
Happening; new; of concern. See also what's up, what's up with.
Usage- not-comparable
- predicative
- Examples
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What's up, bro?
What is up with that project at headquarters?
More examples (1)
When I saw his face, I knew something was up.
Said of the higher-ranking pair in a two pair.
Usage- not-comparable
- postpositional
- Examples
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AAKK = aces up
QQ33 = queens up
Well-informed; current.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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I’m not up on the latest news. What’s going on?
Functional; working.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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Is the server back up?
Traveling towards a major terminus.
Usage- not-comparable
- of a railway line or train
- Examples
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The London train is on the up line.
Chilled and served without ice; (often specifically) shaken with ice and then strained into a coupe for serving, leaving the ice behind.
Usage- US usage
- not-comparable
- Examples
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Would you like that drink up or on ice?
Erect.
Usage- not-comparable
- Slang
At university (especially Oxford or Cambridge).
Usage- UK usage
- Dated
- not-comparable
- Examples
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More examples (1)
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.
Well-known; renowned.
Usage- not-comparable
- Slang
- Examples
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Being "up" means having numerous graffiti in the tagging landscape.
More examples (1)
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.
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.
More examples (1)
Won by Park Top (Lester Piggott up), at Epsom on June 5, 1969
Noun
The direction opposed to the pull of gravity.
Usage- Uncountable
- Examples
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Up is a good way to go.
A positive thing, or a time or situation when things are going well.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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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.
More examples (2)
I've been on an up all this week.
One last impression — and one of the biggest "ups" for me — was the Saturday night cultural presentations.
An up quark.
Usage- Countable
- particle
- Uncountable
- Broader terms
An upstairs room of a two story house.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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She lives in a two-up two-down.
Verb
To physically raise or lift.
Usage- in-certain-phrases
- Poetic
- Transitive
- Examples
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We upped anchor and sailed away.
To increase the level or amount of.
Usage- Colloquial
- Transitive
- Examples
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If we up the volume, we may be able to hear what he says.
As usual, they've upped the prices for Valentine's Day.
More examples (4)
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
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.
It says that while European countries upped their subsidies by 6% between 2018-20, the growth in business was only 0.45%.
To promote.
Usage- Colloquial
- Transitive
- Examples
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It wasn’t long before they upped him to Vice President.
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
More examples (2)
"Ryker's a--" He swallowed. "A cop. Used to work Sleeve Theft, then they upped him to the Organic Damage Division.
(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
To rise to a standing position; hence, by extension, to act suddenly; see also up and.
Usage- In compounds
- Intransitive
- often
- with another verb
- Examples
-
She was sitting there quietly, then all of a sudden she upped and left.
He just upped and quit.
More examples (3)
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.'
And she didn't leave a letter, she just upped and ran away
To ascend; to climb up.
Usage- Archaic
- Intransitive
- Poetic
- Examples
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"Will ye up, lass, and ride behind me?".
To upload.
Usage- Slang
- Transitive
- Examples
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100 new apps and games have just been upped.
Adjective
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
the anchor is up
the sun is up
More examples (4)
he lay face up
he is up by a pawn
the market is up
the corn is up
out of bed
- Synonyms
- Examples
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are they astir yet?
up by seven each morning
getting higher or more vigorous
- Synonyms
- Examples
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it's an up market
an improving economy
extending or moving toward a higher place
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
the up staircase
a general upward movement of fish
(usually followed by ‘on’ or ‘for’) in readiness
- Examples
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he was up on his homework
had to be up for the game
open
- Examples
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the windows are up
(used of computers) operating properly
- Examples
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how soon will the computers be up?
used up
- Examples
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time is up
Adverb
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
look up!
the music surged up
More examples (3)
the fragments flew upwards
prices soared upwards
upwardly mobile
to a higher intensity
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
he turned up the volume
nearer to the speaker
- Examples
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he walked up and grabbed my lapels
to a more central or a more northerly place
- Antonyms
- Examples
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was transferred up to headquarters
up to Canada for a vacation
to a later time
- Examples
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they moved the meeting date up
from childhood upward
Verb
raise
- Broader terms
- Examples
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up the ante