noun Uncommon

uptown

UHP-town

Uptown (noun) means the residential or outer part of a city, away from the main business district. Example: “They moved uptown for the quieter streets and bigger apartments.”

noun

The residential or outer part of a city, away from the main business district.

"They moved uptown for the quieter streets and bigger apartments."

adv

Toward or in that upper/outer part of a city.

"We took the train uptown to visit her new place."

adj

Relating to a wealthier or more fashionable part of town.

"She has an uptown style that always looks polished."

How to use uptown

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe part of a city away from downtown — though the exact meaning shifts depending on which city you're talking about.

Easily confused with

downtown →

Common pairings

head uptown an uptown neighborhood

Word forms

further uptown comparative, farther uptown comparative, more uptown comparative, further uptown comparative, farther uptown comparative, more uptown comparative, uptowns plural, furthest uptown superlative, farthest uptown superlative, most uptown superlative, furthest uptown superlative, farthest uptown superlative, most uptown superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They moved _____ for the quieter streets and bigger apartments.

Etymology

From up + town; usage varies by city — in Manhattan it means north, but in some cities (like Charlotte) it refers to the downtown core itself.

Frequently asked questions

What does “uptown” mean?

The word “uptown” means the residential or outer part of a city, away from the main business district. In plain terms, the part of a city away from downtown — though the exact meaning shifts depending on which city you're talking about.

How do you pronounce “uptown”?

“Uptown” is pronounced UHP-town (/ˈʌptaʊn/ in IPA).

How do you use “uptown” in a sentence?

Here is “uptown” used in a sentence: “They moved uptown for the quieter streets and bigger apartments.”

What part of speech is “uptown”?

Depending on how it is used, “uptown” can be a noun, an adverb and an adjective.

Is “uptown” a common word?

“Uptown” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “uptown” have?

“Uptown” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the residential or outer part of a city, away from the main business district.

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Words that start with U