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⇱ UP - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

UP

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈʌp/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(up)

Inflections of 'up' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
ups
v 3rd person singular
upping
v pres p
upped
v past
upped
v past p

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
UP abbreviation for
  1. United Press
  2. Uttar Pradesh
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
up-, 
  1. a combining form of up: upland;
    upshot;
    upheaval.

up /ʌp/USA pronunciation   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. 
  1. to, toward, or at a higher place on or in:to go up the stairs.
  2. to, toward, or at a higher station, condition, or rank on or in:She's well up the social ladder.
  3. at or to a farther point or higher place on or in:The store is up the street.
  4. toward the source, origin, etc., of:to float up a stream.
  5. living or located inland or on elevated ground:They are two miles up from the coast.
  6. in a direction contrary to that of:to row up the current.

adj. 
  1. moving in or related to a direction that is up or that is thought of as up:[before a noun]the up elevator.
  2. informed;
    familiar;
    aware:[be + ~ + on/in]I'm not up on current events.
  3. concluded;
    ended;
    finished:[be + ~]Your time is up.
  4. going on or happening:[be + ~]What's up with you?
  5. having a high position or station:[be + ~]to be up in society.
  6. in an erect, vertical, or raised position:[be + ~]The tent is up.
  7. above the ground:[be + ~]The corn is up.
  8. (of heavenly bodies) risen above the horizon:[be + ~]The sun is up.
  9. awake or out of bed:[be + ~]It was morning but I wasn't up yet.
  10. (of water in natural bodies) high with relation to the banks or shore:[be + ~]The tide is up.
  11. built;
    constructed:[be + ~]A new building is up and open to the public.
  12. cheerful or optimistic;
    exuberant;
    upbeat:[be + ~ + for]The team was up for the game.
  13. afoot or amiss;
    going on:[be + ~]Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
  14. higher than formerly in amount or degree:[be + ~]The price of meat is up.
  15. Law about to be prosecuted for (a crime):[be + ~]to be up for fraud.
  16. in operation or ready for use;
    working:[be + ~]The computer system is up and running.
  17. Sport ahead of an opponent in a competition:[after a noun indicating number]He's two sets up.
  18. considered or under consideration:[be + ~]up for reelection.
  19. Sport[be + ~] at bat in baseball.

n. [countable]
  1. an upward movement;
    ascent.
  2. a time of good fortune, prosperity, etc.:the ups and downs in a career.
  3. [Informal.]a feeling or state of happiness or exuberance:on an up.
  4. an upward course or rise, as in price or value:ups in the rent.

v. 
  1. to make larger;
    step up;
    increase:[~ + object]decided to up the rent.
  2. [Informal.]to start up;
    begin something abruptly:[not: be + ~ -ing;no object;~ + and + verb]upped and ran away.
  3. (used as a command or a way to rally others) stand or rise up:Up, men, and fight!
Idioms
  1. Idioms on the up and up, [be + ~] worth believing;
    honest;
    trustworthy:This car salesman doesn't seem to be on the up and up.
  2. Idioms up against, confronted with;
    faced with:came up against a number of problems.
  3. Idioms up and around or about, recovered from an illness;
    able to leave one's bed.
  4. Idioms up for grabs, [Informal.]freely available to whoever can take or seize it first.
  5. 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.


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
up  (up),USA pronunciation 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. Theatergo 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. 
  1. to, toward, or at an elevated place on or in:They went up the stairs. The cat is up the tree.
  2. to, toward, or at a high or higher station, condition, or rank on or in:He is well up the social ladder.
  3. at or to a farther point or higher place on or in:She is up the street. I'm going up the street.
  4. toward the source, origin, etc., of:up the stream.
  5. toward a particular direction or in the interior of, as a region or territory:The explorers were up north.
  6. in a course or direction that is contrary to that of:to row up the current.
  7. up your ass, [Slang](vulgar). See shove (def. 6). Also, up yours. 

adj. 
  1. 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.
  2. informed;
    familiar;
    aware (usually fol. by on or in):She is always up on current events.
  3. concluded;
    ended;
    finished;
    terminated:The game is up. Your hour is up.
  4. going on or happening;
    taking place;
    occurring:What's up over there?
  5. having a high position or station:He is up in society.
  6. in an erect, vertical, or raised position:The gate at the railroad crossing is up. The tent is up.
  7. above the earth or ground:The corn is up and ready to be harvested.
  8. in the air;
    aloft:The meteorological balloons are up. The airplanes are up for their reconnaissance flights.
  9. (of heavenly bodies) risen above the horizon:The sun is up.
  10. awake or out of bed:to be up with insomnia.
  11. mounted on horseback:He knows which jockeys are up in every race.
  12. (of water in natural bodies) high with relation to the banks or shore:The tide is up.
  13. built;
    constructed:The new museum is up and open to the public.
  14. facing upward:He is resting and his face is up.
  15. FoodSee sunnyside up. 
  16. (of roads, highways, etc.) having the surface broken or removed (usually used in combination):a torn-up road.
  17. in revolt, mutiny, or rebellious agitation:Many territories were up and preparing to send troops against the government.
  18. in a state of agitation:Beware of him when his temper is up.
  19. [Informal.]cheerful or optimistic;
    high-spirited;
    happy;
    exuberant;
    upbeat.
  20. [Informal.]productive, favorable, or profitable:a string of up months for the company.
  21. afoot or amiss:Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
  22. in a state of enthusiastic or confident readiness (usually fol. by for):The team was definitely up for the game.
  23. bound;
    on the way:She was on a ship up for Australia.
  24. resolved in an unfavorable or undesired way:They knew that their game was up.
  25. higher than formerly in cost, amount, degree, etc.:The price of meat was up.
  26. (of age) advanced (usually fol. by in):He is rather spry for a man so up in years.
  27. active:The captain wished to set sail as soon as the wind was up.
  28. in a legal proceeding as defendant:He is up for murder.
  29. in operation or ready for use:The theater's lights are up.
  30. (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.
  31. considered or under consideration:a candidate up for reelection; a bill that is up before Congress.
  32. wagered;
    bet:He won all the money up in the game.
  33. living or located inland or on elevated ground:They live in a village two miles up from the coast.
  34. (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.
  35. ahead of an opponent or opponents:They scored three times in a row to go two up.
  36. Winestraight up. See straight (def. 38).
  37. up and doing, [Informal.]actively engaged;
    alert;
    busy:During her convalescence she longed to be up and doing.

n. 
  1. an upward movement;
    ascent.
  2. a rise of fortune, mood, etc.
  3. a time of good fortune, prosperity, or happiness:He has had more ups than downs in his career.
  4. an upbound means of public transportation, as a train or bus.
  5. [Informal.]a feeling or state of happiness, exuberance, or elation.
  6. [Slang.]upper (def. 10).
  7. 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.
  8. an upward slope;
    elevation.
  9. 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.
  10. Drugs[Slang.]upper2.
  11. 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. 
  1. to put or take up.
  2. to make larger;
    step up:to up output.
  3. to raise;
    go better than (a preceding wager):to up the ante.

v.i. 
  1. [Informal.]to start up;
    begin something abruptly (usually fol. by and and another verb):Then he upped and ran away from home.
  2. (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 (

up-, 
  1. a combining form of up: upland;
    upshot;
    upheaval.
  • Old English Middle English

U.P. 
  1. Place NamesSee Upper Peninsula. 

up., 
    1. Wineunderproof (alcohol).
    2. upper.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
up /ʌp/ prep
  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
 adv
  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
    • to a more important place: up to London
    • to a more northerly place: up to Scotland
    • (of a member of some British universities) to or at university
    • in a particular part of the country: up north
  5. above the horizon: the sun is up
  6. appearing for trial: up before the magistrate
  7. having gained: ten pounds up on the deal
  8. higher in price: coffee is up again
  9. raised (for discussion, etc): the plan was up for consideration
  10. taught: well up in physics
  11. (functioning as imperative) get, stand, etc, up: up with you!
  12. all up with ⇒ informal
    • over; finished
    • doomed to die
  13. up with ⇒ (functioning as imperative) wanting the beginning or continuation of: up with the monarchy!
  14. something's up ⇒ informal something strange is happening
  15. up against ⇒
    • touching
    • having to cope with: look what we're up against now
  16. up for ⇒ as a candidate or applicant for: he's up for re-election again
  17. up for it ⇒ informal keen or willing to try something out or make a good effort: it's a big challenge and I'm up for it
  18. up to ⇒
    • devising or scheming; occupied with: she's up to no good
    • dependent or incumbent upon: the decision is up to you
    • equal to (a challenge, etc) or capable of (doing, etc): are you up to playing in the final?
    • aware of
    • as far as: up to his waist in mud
    • as many as: up to two years' waiting time
    • comparable with: not up to your normal standard
  19. up top ⇒ informal in the head or mind
  20. up yours ⇒ slang a vulgar expression of contempt or refusal
  21. what's up? ⇒ informal
    • what is the matter?
    • what is happening?
 adj
  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
 vb (ups, upping, upped)
  1. (transitive) to increase or raise
  2. (intransitive; followed by and with a verb) informal to do (something) suddenly, unexpectedly, etc: she upped and married someone else
 n
  1. high point; good or pleasant period (esp in the phrase ups and downs)
  2. slang
  3. on the up and up ⇒
    • trustworthy or honest
    • Brit 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
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
up- prefix
  1. up, upper, or upwards: uproot, upmost, upthrust, upgrade, uplift
'UP' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "UP" in the title:

I think I'll give up on that
- It's impossible to save up on\from your salary.
- We gather up with my family to have dinner and then we give presents to each other.
- What's up? - Nothing much\Not much!
", his jacket buttoned up <to show> he had no shirt on,"
, the bill for those who did is mounting up....
. . . . she throws him up at me.
... I end up worrying about what I have done.
... beginning/starting from PI and ending with/till/up to ..
... fed to the teeth. / up to the gills
... trucks lifting up the dust...
... tumbled up, with the true nautical roll [Peter Pan]
... was shaping up to be.
... wouldn't wake me up
......They were chained up, but the thieves lift the whole thing into a van and drive off.
....up late. I had to take a taxi to school.
...are being drawn up by the air raid...
...came up with a lot of ideas to effectively show...
...catch up with...
"...ended up on the side where I was plugging"
...for up to 365 days.
...growing up absurd. [Medium is the massage]
...has promised to take up ... changes in short order
...he tots up Clover's cheerfulness to the daydreamy way she...
...her experiences and persuaded me to take up the teachings
...keep up his semi-reformed ways...?
...lacked in might, they made up...
...London line was to get snowed up....
...Other animals, like owls, had problems sleeping and woke up.
...she makes up for in...
more...

Look up "UP" at Merriam-Webster
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