up

UK: /ˈʌp/ US: (up)

Inflections of 'up' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

ups

v 3rd person singular

upping

v pres p

upped

v past

upped

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

up  (up), adv., prep., adj., n., v., upped, up•ping. 
adv. 

1. to, toward, or in a more elevated position:
   to climb up to the top of a ladder.
2. to or in an erect position:
   to stand up.
3. out of bed:
   to get up.
4. above the horizon:
   The moon came up.
5. to or at any point that is considered higher.
6. to or at a source, origin, center, or the like:
   to follow a stream up to its source.
7. 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!
8. ahead;
   in a leading position in a competition:
   He managed to get up on his opponent by three points.
9. in continuing contact, esp. as reflecting continuing awareness, knowledge, etc.:
   to keep up with the latest developments in mathematics.
10. into or in activity, operation, etc.:
    to set up vibrations.
11. into a state of emotional agitation or distress:
    His insults left her all roiled up.
12. into existence, visible form, etc.:
    His sample was worked up in the studio.
13. into view, prominence, or consideration:
    The lost papers have turned up.
14. into or in a place of safekeeping, storage, retirement, etc.:
    to lay up riches; to put up preserves.
15. into or in a state of union, contraction, etc.:
    to add up a column of figures; to fold up.
16. to the required or final point:
    to pay up one's debts; burned up.
17. to a state of completion;
    to an end:
    She finished it all up.
18. to a halt:
    The riders reined up and dismounted.
19. [Baseball.] being the player or team batting;
    at bat.
20. (used as a function word for additional emphasis, sometimes prec. by it):
    Go wake your father up. What plugged it up? We laughed it up.
21. ahead of an opponent or opponents in points, games, etc.:
    The golfer was two strokes up on his nearest competitor.
22. each;
    apiece:
    The score was seven up in the final quarter.
23. (of machines or equipment, as computers) working;
    in working order or in operation.
24. [Informal.] without the addition of ice;
    straight up:
    Bring me a martini, up.
25. [Naut.] toward the wind:
    Put the helm up.
26. 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.
27. Theater go up in one's lines. See line ¹ (def. 58).
28. up against, faced or confronted with:
    They were up against formidable obstacles.
29. up against it, in a difficult situation, esp. in financial straits:
    There was no one to help him when he was up against it.
30. up and around, recovered from an illness;
    able to leave one's bed. Also, up and about. 
31. up and down:
    • back and forth;
      backward and forward:
      He paced up and down.
    • from top to bottom or head to toe:
      She looked me up and down before replying.
32. up for, considered as eligible or as a possibility for (something):
    The child is up for adoption. Three actresses are up for the role.
33. up to:
    • 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.
    • in full realization or attainment of:
      He worked up to president of the company.
    • as many as;
      to the limit of:
      The car will seat up to five persons.
    • having adequate powers or ability for;
      capable of;
      equal to:
      He didn't think I was up to the job.
    • the duty or responsibility of;
      incumbent upon:
      It's up to you to break the news to him.
    • engaged in;
      contriving;
      doing:
      What have you been up to lately?

prep. 

34. to, toward, or at an elevated place on or in:
    They went up the stairs. The cat is up the tree.
35. to, toward, or at a high or higher station, condition, or rank on or in:
    He is well up the social ladder.
36. at or to a farther point or higher place on or in:
    She is up the street. I'm going up the street.
37. toward the source, origin, etc., of:
    up the stream.
38. toward a particular direction or in the interior of, as a region or territory:
    The explorers were up north.
39. in a course or direction that is contrary to that of:
    to row up the current.
40. up your ass, [Slang] (vulgar). See shove (def. 6). Also, up yours. 

adj. 

41. 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.
42. informed;
    familiar;
    aware (usually fol. by on or in):
    She is always up on current events.
43. concluded;
    ended;
    finished;
    terminated:
    The game is up. Your hour is up.
44. going on or happening;
    taking place;
    occurring:
    What's up over there?
45. having a high position or station:
    He is up in society.
46. in an erect, vertical, or raised position:
    The gate at the railroad crossing is up. The tent is up.
47. above the earth or ground:
    The corn is up and ready to be harvested.
48. in the air;
    aloft:
    The meteorological balloons are up. The airplanes are up for their reconnaissance flights.
49. (of heavenly bodies) risen above the horizon:
    The sun is up.
50. awake or out of bed:
    to be up with insomnia.
51. mounted on horseback:
    He knows which jockeys are up in every race.
52. (of water in natural bodies) high with relation to the banks or shore:
    The tide is up.
53. built;
    constructed:
    The new museum is up and open to the public.
54. facing upward:
    He is resting and his face is up.
55. Food See sunnyside up. 
56. (of roads, highways, etc.) having the surface broken or removed (usually used in combination):
    a torn-up road.
57. in revolt, mutiny, or rebellious agitation:
    Many territories were up and preparing to send troops against the government.
58. in a state of agitation:
    Beware of him when his temper is up.
59. [Informal.] cheerful or optimistic;
    high-spirited;
    happy;
    exuberant;
    upbeat.
60. [Informal.] productive, favorable, or profitable:
    a string of up months for the company.
61. afoot or amiss:
    Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
62. in a state of enthusiastic or confident readiness (usually fol. by for):
    The team was definitely up for the game.
63. bound;
    on the way:
    She was on a ship up for Australia.
64. resolved in an unfavorable or undesired way:
    They knew that their game was up.
65. higher than formerly in cost, amount, degree, etc.:
    The price of meat was up.
66. (of age) advanced (usually fol. by in):
    He is rather spry for a man so up in years.
67. active:
    The captain wished to set sail as soon as the wind was up.
68. in a legal proceeding as defendant:
    He is up for murder.
69. in operation or ready for use:
    The theater's lights are up.
70. (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.
71. considered or under consideration:
    a candidate up for reelection; a bill that is up before Congress.
72. wagered;
    bet:
    He won all the money up in the game.
73. living or located inland or on elevated ground:
    They live in a village two miles up from the coast.
74. (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.
75. ahead of an opponent or opponents:
    They scored three times in a row to go two up.
76. Wine straight up. See straight (def. 38).
77. up and doing, [Informal.] actively engaged;
    alert;
    busy:
    During her convalescence she longed to be up and doing.

n. 

78. an upward movement;
    ascent.
79. a rise of fortune, mood, etc.
80. a time of good fortune, prosperity, or happiness:
    He has had more ups than downs in his career.
81. an upbound means of public transportation, as a train or bus.
82. [Informal.] a feeling or state of happiness, exuberance, or elation.
83. [Slang.] upper (def. 10).
84. 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.
85. an upward slope;
    elevation.
86. 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.
87. Drugs [Slang.] upper².
88. on the up and up, [Informal.] frank;
    honest;
    sincere:
    He seems to be on the up and up.
    Also, on the up-and-up. 

v.t. 

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

v.i. 

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

• bef. 900; Middle English up(pe) (adverb, adverbial), 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 ( German auf ), Gothic iup

up-, 

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

• Old English Middle English

U.P. 

1. Place Names See Upper Peninsula. 

up., 

1. Wine underproof (alcohol).
2. upper.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

up / ʌp/ preposition

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

adverb

1. (often particle) to an upward, higher, or erect position, esp indicating readiness for an activity: looking up at the stars, up and doing something
2. (particle) indicating intensity or completion of an action: he tore up the cheque, drink up now!
3. to the place referred to or where the speaker is: the man came up and asked the way
4. to a more important place: up to London
5. to a more northerly place: up to Scotland
6. (of a member of some British universities) to or at university
7. in a particular part of the country: up north
8. above the horizon: the sun is up
9. appearing for trial: up before the magistrate
10. having gained: ten pounds up on the deal
11. higher in price: coffee is up again
12. raised (for discussion, etc): the plan was up for consideration
13. taught: well up in physics
14. (functioning as imperative) get, stand, etc, up: up with you!
15. all up with ⇒ over; finished
16. doomed to die
17. up with ⇒ (functioning as imperative) wanting the beginning or continuation of: up with the monarchy!
18. something's up ⇒ something strange is happening
19. up against ⇒ touching
20. having to cope with: look what we're up against now
21. up for ⇒ as a candidate or applicant for: he's up for re-election again
22. 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
23. up to ⇒ devising or scheming; occupied with: she's up to no good
24. dependent or incumbent upon: the decision is up to you
25. equal to (a challenge, etc) or capable of (doing, etc): are you up to playing in the final?
26. aware of
27. as far as: up to his waist in mud
28. as many as: up to two years' waiting time
29. comparable with: not up to your normal standard
30. up top ⇒ in the head or mind
31. up yours ⇒ a vulgar expression of contempt or refusal
32. what's up? ⇒ what is the matter?
33. what is happening?

adjective

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

verb (ups, upping, upped)

1. (transitive) to increase or raise
2. (intr; followed by and with a verb) to do (something) suddenly, unexpectedly, etc: she upped and married someone else

noun

1. high point; good or pleasant period (esp in the phrase ups and downs)
2. 
   another word (esp US) for upper9
3. on the up and up ⇒ trustworthy or honest
4. on the upward trend or movement: our firm's on the up and up

Etymology: Old English upp; related to Old Saxon, Old Norse up, Old High German ūf, Gothic iupUSAGE
The use of up before until is redundant and should be avoided: the talks will continue until (not up until) 23rd March

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

up-, 

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

up /ʌp/   adv., prep., adj., n., v., upped, up•ping. 
adv. 

1. to, toward, or in a more elevated position:
   to climb up to the top of a ladder.
2. to or in an erect position:
   to stand up; He straightened up.
3. out of bed:
   Come on, time to get up!
4. above the horizon:
   The moon came up.
5. to or at any point considered higher:
   He rolled the car windows up.
6. to or at a source, origin, center, or the like:
   to follow a stream up to its source.
7. to or at a higher point or degree, as of rank, size, value, volume, or strength:
   Prices went up. Speak up.
8. to or at a point of equal advance:
   He caught up with her.
9. in continuing contact, esp. as showing continuing awareness or knowledge:
   to keep up with the news.
10. into a state of emotional agitation:
    all worked up.
11. into existence, view, notice, or consideration:
    The lost papers turned up.
12. into or in a place of safekeeping, storage, etc.;
    safely;
    tightly:
    to put up strawberry preserves.
13. into or in a state of union, contraction, etc.:
    to add up a column of figures.
14. to the final point;
    to an end;
    entirely:
    to be used up.
15. to a halt:
    The car pulled up.
16. ahead;
    in a leading position in a competition:
    We were two games up in the tournament.
17. each;
    apiece:
    The score was seven up.
18. Wine [Informal.] without ice;
    straight up.
19. (used with a verb to express additional emphasis on the action of the verb, or to suggest more thoroughness or completion of the action):
    Go wake your brother up. Drink up! Eat up!

prep. 

20. to, toward, or at a higher place on or in:
    to go up the stairs.
21. to, toward, or at a higher station, condition, or rank on or in:
    She's well up the social ladder.
22. at or to a farther point or higher place on or in:
    The store is up the street.
23. toward the source, origin, etc., of:
    to float up a stream.
24. living or located inland or on elevated ground:
    They are two miles up from the coast.
25. in a direction contrary to that of:
    to row up the current.

adj. 

26. moving in or related to a direction that is up or that is thought of as up:
    [before a noun] the up elevator.
27. informed;
    familiar;
    aware:
    [be + ~ + on/in] I'm not up on current events.
28. concluded;
    ended;
    finished:
    [be + ~] Your time is up.
29. going on or happening:
    [be + ~] What's up with you?
30. having a high position or station:
    [be + ~] to be up in society.
31. in an erect, vertical, or raised position:
    [be + ~] The tent is up.
32. above the ground:
    [be + ~] The corn is up.
33. (of heavenly bodies) risen above the horizon:
    [be + ~] The sun is up.
34. awake or out of bed:
    [be + ~] It was morning but I wasn't up yet.
35. (of water in natural bodies) high with relation to the banks or shore:
    [be + ~] The tide is up.
36. built;
    constructed:
    [be + ~] A new building is up and open to the public.
37. cheerful or optimistic;
    exuberant;
    upbeat:
    [be + ~ + for] The team was up for the game.
38. afoot or amiss;
    going on:
    [be + ~] Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
39. higher than formerly in amount or degree:
    [be + ~] The price of meat is up.
40. Law about to be prosecuted for (a crime):
    [be + ~] to be up for fraud.
41. in operation or ready for use;
    working:
    [be + ~] The computer system is up and running.
42. Sport ahead of an opponent in a competition:
    [after a noun indicating number] He's two sets up.
43. considered or under consideration:
    [be + ~] up for reelection.
44. Sport [be + ~] at bat in baseball.

n. [countable]

45. an upward movement;
    ascent.
46. a time of good fortune, prosperity, etc.:
    the ups and downs in a career.
47. [Informal.] a feeling or state of happiness or exuberance:
    on an up.
48. an upward course or rise, as in price or value:
    ups in the rent.

v. 

49. to make larger;
    step up;
    increase:
    [~ + object] decided to up the rent.
50. [Informal.] to start up;
    begin something abruptly:
    [not: be + ~ -ing;

    no object;

    ~ + and + verb]

    upped and ran away.
51. (used as a command or a way to rally others) stand or rise up:
    Up, men, and fight!

Idioms

52. Idioms on the up and up, [be + ~] worth believing;
    honest;
    trustworthy:
    This car salesman doesn't seem to be on the up and up.
53. Idioms up against, confronted with;
    faced with:
    came up against a number of problems.
54. Idioms up and around or about, recovered from an illness;
    able to leave one's bed.
55. Idioms up for grabs, [Informal.] freely available to whoever can take or seize it first.
56. Idioms up to:
    • as far as:
      I am up to the eighth lesson.
    • in fulfillment of:
      couldn't live up to their expectations.
    • as many as;
      to the limit of:
      This car can hold up to five persons.
    • [be + ~] capable of;
      equal to:
      Is he up to the job?
    • [It + be + ~ + object(+ to + verb)] being one's responsibility:
      It's up to you to tell her.
    • [be + ~] engaged in;
      doing:
      What have you been up to lately?
    • [be + ~] doing something suspect, dishonest, or illegal:
      They're up to something, but the police don't yet know what.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

UP abbreviation

1. United Press
2. Uttar Pradesh

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

up- prefix

1. up, upper, or upwards: uproot, upmost, upthrust, upgrade, uplift