adjective
Uncommon
upbeat
uhp-BEET
Upbeat (adjective) means Cheerful, optimistic, and positive in tone. Example: “Despite the setback, her upbeat attitude kept the team motivated.”
adjective
1
Cheerful, optimistic, and positive in tone.
"Despite the setback, her upbeat attitude kept the team motivated."
"The report gave an upbeat outlook for next quarter."
2
Having a fast, lively musical tempo.
"The band opened with an upbeat song to get the crowd dancing."
How to use upbeat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPositive and cheerful — or, in music, lively and fast-paced.
Common pairings
upbeat mood
upbeat tone
stay upbeat
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Word forms
- Plural
- upbeats
- Comparative
- more upbeat
- Superlative
- most upbeat
Fill the gap
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Despite the setback, her _____ attitude kept the team motivated.
Etymology
Originally a music term for the unaccented beat before the main beat of a bar, later extended to mean generally cheerful or positive.
Synonyms
View more →
cheerful
pollyannaish
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for upbeat
See all rhymes for upbeat →Frequently asked questions
What does “upbeat” mean?
The word “upbeat” means cheerful, optimistic, and positive in tone. In plain terms, positive and cheerful — or, in music, lively and fast-paced.
How do you pronounce “upbeat”?
“Upbeat” is pronounced uhp-BEET (/ʌpˈbit/ in IPA).
How do you use “upbeat” in a sentence?
Here is “upbeat” used in a sentence: “Despite the setback, her upbeat attitude kept the team motivated.”
What is the opposite of “upbeat”?
The opposite of “upbeat” — its antonyms — is downbeat.
What part of speech is “upbeat”?
“Upbeat” is an adjective.
Is “upbeat” a common word?
“Upbeat” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “upbeat” have?
“Upbeat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: cheerful, optimistic, and positive in tone.
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