upper
Upper (adj) means positioned higher, in rank, level, or physical location, than something else. Example: “She lives on the upper floor of the building.”
How to Use Upper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething positioned or ranked higher than something else, or (informally) a stimulant/mood-booster.
Word Forms
uppermore comparative, uppers plural, uppermost superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She lives on the _____ floor of the building.
Etymology
From Middle English upper, formed as up + the comparative suffix -er.
Related Words
Rhymes for upper
See all rhymes for upper →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “upper” mean?
The word “upper” means positioned higher, in rank, level, or physical location, than something else. In plain terms, something positioned or ranked higher than something else, or (informally) a stimulant/mood-booster.
How do you pronounce “upper”?
“Upper” is pronounced UH-puh (/ˈʌpɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “upper” in a sentence?
Here is “upper” used in a sentence: “She lives on the upper floor of the building.”
What is the opposite of “upper”?
The opposite of “upper” — its antonyms — are lower and under.
What part of speech is “upper”?
Depending on how it is used, “upper” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “upper” come from?
The word “upper” comes from Middle English. From Middle English upper, formed as up + the comparative suffix -er.
Is “upper” a common word?
“Upper” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “upper” have?
“Upper” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: positioned higher, in rank, level, or physical location, than something else.
What is the difference between upper and lower?
Upper and lower are opposites describing relative position. Upper means the higher of two parts, or the one nearer the top — the upper floor, upper lip, upper body. Lower means the part beneath it. Together they split something into a top and a bottom section.
What is an example of upper?
The upper deck of a bus, the upper lip, the upper floors of a building, and the upper class of society are all examples. Upper marks the part that sits higher in position, level, or rank than its matching lower counterpart, whether in space or in status.
What is the opposite of upper?
The direct opposite of upper is lower. Upper describes the higher position in rank, level, or place, so its natural antonym is lower, which names the position beneath. In particular phrases, 'under,' 'bottom,' and 'nether' also stand in contrast to upper.