up
up
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "up" is /ʌp/.
/ʌp/
Word Form Variations
Adverb: up (no comparative/superlative forms)
Preposition: up
Adjective: up (no comparative/superlative forms)
Verb: up (base form, informal), ups (third person singular present), upping (present participle), upped (past simple, past participle)
Noun: up (singular), ups (plural, typically in "ups and downs")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: To or in a higher position; upwards.
Synonyms: upwards, aloft, heavenward, skyward
Antonyms: down, downwards, below, beneath
Definition 2: To or at a higher level, value, or intensity.
Synonyms: higher, increased, elevated, intensified
Antonyms: lower, decreased, reduced, diminished
Definition 3: In or into an erect or upright position.
Synonyms: erect, upright, standing, vertical
Antonyms: down, prone, horizontal, lying
Definition 4: (Informal) Awake; out of bed.
Synonyms: awake, alert, out of bed, risen
Antonyms: asleep, in bed, dormant, resting
Definition 5: (Used to indicate completion or entirety of an action, often in phrasal verbs)
Example usage: "Eat up," "clean up," "fill up."
Synonyms: completely, entirely, thoroughly, fully
Antonyms: partly, incompletely, partially
Definition 6: (In sports) Ahead in score or ranking.
Synonyms: ahead, leading, winning, in front
Antonyms: behind, trailing, losing, down
Preposition
Definition 1: To or toward a higher place or position on.
Synonyms: ascending, upwards along, onto
Antonyms: down, downwards along, off
Definition 2: Throughout (a country or area).
Synonyms: throughout, across, around, all over
Antonyms: within (a small part), contained in
Adjective
Definition 1: Directed or moving upward.
Synonyms: upward, ascending, rising, uphill
Antonyms: downward, descending, falling, downhill
Definition 2: Elevated to a higher or upright position.
Synonyms: erect, vertical, standing, risen
Antonyms: down, prone, fallen, horizontal
Definition 3: (Informal) Aware of something; knowledgeable (often "up on").
Synonyms: informed, knowledgeable, current, aware, savvy
Antonyms: uninformed, unaware, clueless, behind (on)
Definition 4: (Informal) In good spirits; cheerful.
Synonyms: cheerful, happy, positive, optimistic, lively
Antonyms: down, sad, depressed, gloomy, despondent
Verb
Definition 1 (informal): To increase (an amount or level); to raise.
Synonyms: increase, raise, boost, escalate, elevate, lift
Antonyms: decrease, lower, reduce, cut, drop
Definition 2 (informal): To move or place in a higher position.
Synonyms: raise, lift, hoist, elevate
Antonyms: lower, drop, put down
Noun
Definition 1 (informal): A rise or increase. (Often in "ups and downs")
Synonyms: increase, rise, surge, improvement, high
Antonyms: fall, decrease, drop, decline, low
Definition 2 (informal): A period of good fortune or mood. (Often in "ups and downs")
Synonyms: high, peak, good fortune, positive period
Antonyms: low, trough, bad luck, negative period
Examples of Use
Books:
"He looked up at the vast, star-filled sky, feeling a profound sense of awe." (Fictional example from a philosophical novel or science fiction)
"The book details how to set up a sustainable permaculture garden in your backyard." (From a non-fiction book on gardening or sustainability)
"To understand the complex data, one must delve deep into the analysis and read up on the latest theories." (From an academic textbook, idiomatic use)
Newspapers:
"Fuel prices are set to go up again next month, impacting transport costs across Kenya." (Business Daily Africa)
"The police arrested several suspects in connection with a breaking and entering incident up in Gigiri." (Daily Nation)
"Environmental activists vowed to step up their efforts to protect endangered wildlife species." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"How to speed up your computer's performance: Tips and tricks for a faster PC." (An article on a tech blog, e.g., CNET)
"Sign up for our newsletter and get exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox." (A call to action on an e-commerce website, e.g., Jumia Kenya)
"Our guide to waking up early and staying productive throughout the day." (An article on a self-improvement blog, e.g., Lifehack.org)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "What's up, doc?" (Bugs Bunny, Looney Tunes cartoons)
Television Series: "Our hero must climb up the treacherous mountain to retrieve the ancient artifact." (Narration from an adventure or fantasy series, e.g., Game of Thrones)
Song Lyrics: "Up, up and away in my beautiful, my beautiful balloon." (The 5th Dimension, "Up, Up and Away," 1967)
Video Games: "Your character needs to power up to defeat the final boss!" (In-game instruction or advice, e.g., Super Mario Bros.)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we chat with a renowned author about her new book and what she's been up to." (A podcast host interviewing a guest, informal use)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you pick that book up from the floor?" (A common request)
"What are you up to tonight?" (A common informal greeting)
"Prices are going up again at the supermarket." (A common complaint)
"Time's up! Please stop writing." (A common instruction in tests or competitions)
"Let's meet up for coffee tomorrow." (A common suggestion)
"She's feeling a bit down, so let's cheer her up." (A common act of support)
"Children under twelve must be accompanied by an adult." (This is a factual statement, but often stated "Children up to twelve must..." or the like, which is also a relevant use of "up").
"He lives up the road from here." (Describing a location)
"It's up to you to decide." (Indicating responsibility)
10 Quotes Using Up
"What's up, doc?" (Bugs Bunny, Looney Tunes cartoons)
"Never give up!" (Common motivational phrase, widely attributed)
"The only way is up." (Yazz, song title, 1988)
"Keep your head up." (Common motivational phrase, widely used)
"If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up." (J.M. Power)
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." (C.S. Lewis) - This implies that it's never too late to start something up.
"Don't give up the ship!" (James Lawrence, dying words, 1813)
"Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights." (Bob Marley, "Get Up, Stand Up," 1973)
"It's up to you." (Common phrase, indicating responsibility or choice)
"The truth will set you free." (John 8:32, Biblical) - This implies that truth can free one from being tied up.
Etymology
The word "up" is one of the oldest and most fundamental words in the English language, with incredibly deep roots.
It comes directly from the Old English word upp or ūp.
This Old English word already meant "to or in a higher position," "upwards," or "on high."
Upp itself traces back to Proto-Germanic (uppa) and then to an even older Proto-Indo-European root (upo or h₁up-) that meant "under," "from below," or "up over." (Interestingly, this root is also related to "over" and "under," showing a shared history of spatial relations).
The first known use of "up" in English, with its core meaning of "indicating movement to or position at a higher point," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). Its fundamental role in describing verticality, increase, completion, or an elevated state has been consistent for well over a thousand years.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Up
To wake up: To cease sleeping.
To get up: To rise from a sitting or lying position.
To stand up: To rise to one's feet.
To break up: To end a relationship; to separate into pieces.
To cheer up: To become happier; to make someone happier.
To look up to (someone): To admire or respect someone.
To give up: To stop trying; to surrender.
What's up?: (Informal) A greeting meaning "What's happening?" or "How are you?"
To be up to (something): To be doing something, often something secretive or mischievous.
To be up against (something): To be confronted with a difficulty or opponent.
Ups and downs: Good times and bad times; periods of success and difficulty.
To eat up: To consume completely.
To show up: To appear; to arrive.
To spice up: To make something more interesting or exciting.
To wind up: To conclude; to become; (informal) to annoy or tease.
To live it up: To enjoy oneself to the fullest, often extravagantly.
To clean up: To make something tidy or neat.
To dress up: To wear formal or fancy clothes; to make something more appealing.
To open up: To start to talk more freely; to make accessible.
To lighten up: To become less serious or tense.
To be tied up: To be very busy or occupied.
To pull up one's socks: To make a greater effort.
To bring up: To raise a child; to mention a topic.
To set up: To establish; to prepare.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of up from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
