noun
Uncommon
upkeep
UHP-keep
Upkeep (noun) means the ongoing work or cost of keeping something in good condition. Example: “The upkeep of an old house can be expensive.”
noun
1
The ongoing work or cost of keeping something in good condition.
"I would enjoy having a swimming pool, but I don't want to deal with the upkeep."
"The story of upkeep has been never-ending. Between 1997-2000, a major programme of maintenance entailed replacing superstructure timbers - 50 main rail beams were replaced with greenheart, along with a similar number of edge beams."
— Andrew Mourant, The tide is turning for a Victorian wonder (2020)
"The upkeep of an old house can be expensive."
"Garden upkeep takes a few hours every weekend."
How to use upkeep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat it takes — time, money, or effort — to maintain something properly.
Common pairings
cost of upkeep
property upkeep
regular upkeep
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Word forms
- Plural
- upkeeps
- Third person singular
- upkeeps
- Past tense
- upkept
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of an old house can be expensive.
Etymology
From up + keep.
Related words
Rhymes for upkeep
See all rhymes for upkeep →Frequently asked questions
What does “upkeep” mean?
The word “upkeep” means the ongoing work or cost of keeping something in good condition. In plain terms, what it takes — time, money, or effort — to maintain something properly.
How do you pronounce “upkeep”?
“Upkeep” is pronounced UHP-keep (/ˈʌpkip/ in IPA).
How do you use “upkeep” in a sentence?
Here is “upkeep” used in a sentence: “The upkeep of an old house can be expensive.”
What part of speech is “upkeep”?
“Upkeep” is a noun.
Is “upkeep” a common word?
“Upkeep” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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