upstairs
Upstairs (adv) means to or on a higher floor of a building. Example: “She went upstairs to get ready for bed.”
How to use upstairs
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOn, to, or relating to an upper floor of a building.
Word forms
further upstairs comparative, farther upstairs comparative, further upstairs comparative, farther upstairs comparative, upstairs plural, furthest upstairs superlative, farthest upstairs superlative, furthest upstairs superlative, farthest upstairs superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She went _____ to get ready for bed.
Etymology
From up- + stair + -s.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for upstairs
See all rhymes for upstairs →Frequently asked questions
What does “upstairs” mean?
The word “upstairs” means to or on a higher floor of a building. In plain terms, on, to, or relating to an upper floor of a building.
How do you pronounce “upstairs”?
“Upstairs” is pronounced uhp-STEH-uhz (/ˌʌpˈstɛɹz/ in IPA).
How do you use “upstairs” in a sentence?
Here is “upstairs” used in a sentence: “She went upstairs to get ready for bed.”
What is the opposite of “upstairs”?
The opposite of “upstairs” — its antonyms — is downstairs.
What part of speech is “upstairs”?
Depending on how it is used, “upstairs” can be an adverb, an adjective and a noun.
Is “upstairs” a common word?
“Upstairs” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “upstairs” have?
“Upstairs” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to or on a higher floor of a building.
What is the difference between "upstairs" and "downstairs"?
"Upstairs" refers to or is located on a higher floor of a building, while "downstairs" refers to a lower floor. If you go upstairs you move up to a higher level, and if you go downstairs you move down to a lower one.
Do you say "go upstairs" or "go up the stairs"?
"Go upstairs" means to move to a higher floor and treats "upstairs" as a single adverb, while "go up the stairs" refers specifically to climbing the staircase itself. You can go up the stairs to get upstairs, but you might also reach upstairs by lift.
Should you write "upstairs" or "up stairs"?
The standard modern spelling is one word, "upstairs," whether used as an adverb, adjective, or noun. The two-word form "up stairs" is archaic and is not used in current English.
Can "upstairs" be used as a noun?
Yes, "upstairs" can act as a noun meaning the upper floor or floors of a building, as in "the upstairs needs repainting." In this use it usually takes "the" before it.
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