General
uppity
What does uppity mean?
Describes someone acting above their station or self-important.
"He got real uppity once he moved to the city."
Origin
American English, late 1800s; "up" plus -ity, first recorded in African American Southern speech.
Frequently asked questions
What does "uppity" mean?
It describes someone acting snobbish, arrogant, or self-important—putting on airs and behaving as if above their station.
How do you use "uppity"?
Use it as an adjective for someone who has become stuck-up or presumptuous, as in "He got real uppity once he moved to the city."
Where does "uppity" come from?
It's American English from the late 1800s, formed from "up" plus the suffix -ity, first recorded in African American Southern speech.
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