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
1
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
1
Toward or in that upper/outer part of a city.
"We took the train uptown to visit her new place."
adj
1
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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
head uptown
an uptown neighborhood
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Word forms
- Plural
- uptowns
- Comparative
- further uptown, farther uptown, more uptown
- Superlative
- furthest uptown, farthest uptown, most uptown
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.
Antonyms
Related words
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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