upward
UHP-wuhd
Upward (adv) means moving from a lower position to a higher one. Example: “The balloon drifted slowly upward.”
adv
1
Moving from a lower position to a higher one.
"The balloon drifted slowly upward."
"The smoke curled upward and vanished into the cold air."
"She looked upward and saw geese flying in a neat line."
adj
1
Directed toward a higher place or level.
"Sales have shown an upward trend all year."
"The lift made a slow upward journey to the top floor."
"With one upward glance, he spotted the kite stuck in the tree."
"with upward eye; with upward course"
How to use upward
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGoing up, or aimed toward something higher — used for movement, trends, and figures alike.
Common pairings
an upward trend
move upward
upward mobility
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more upward
- Superlative
- most upward
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The balloon drifted slowly _____.
Etymology
From Old English upweardes, from up + -weard ("-ward," meaning "in the direction of").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “upward” mean?
The word “upward” means moving from a lower position to a higher one. In plain terms, going up, or aimed toward something higher — used for movement, trends, and figures alike.
How do you pronounce “upward”?
“Upward” is pronounced UHP-wuhd (/ˈʌpwɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “upward” in a sentence?
Here is “upward” used in a sentence: “The balloon drifted slowly upward.”
What is another word for “upward”?
Words with a similar meaning to “upward” include cloudwards, up and upwards.
What is the opposite of “upward”?
The opposite of “upward” — its antonyms — are down and downwards.
What part of speech is “upward”?
Depending on how it is used, “upward” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Where does the word “upward” come from?
The word “upward” comes from Old English. From Old English upweardes, from up + -weard ("-ward," meaning "in the direction of").
Is “upward” a common word?
“Upward” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "upward" and "upwards"?
"Upward" and "upwards" mean the same thing, both describing movement toward a higher position, but "upward" is more common in American English while "upwards" is more common in British English. "Upward" is also the standard adjective form, as in "an upward trend."
Can "upward" be used as both an adjective and an adverb?
Yes, "upward" functions as an adverb describing movement from a lower to a higher position, as in "the balloon floated upward," and as an adjective directed toward a higher place or level, as in "an upward glance."
What is a common collocation with "upward"?
"Upward trend," "upward spiral," and "upward mobility" are frequent collocations, all describing movement or change toward a higher level, whether literal or figurative.
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