Upper Meaning
/ˈʌpə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjAt a higher level, rank or position.
adjAt a higher physical position, level, rank or order.
Sentence Examples
Unlike Great Britain, the Upper House in the United States is an elected body.
My upper right wisdom tooth hurts.
The upper part of the mountain is covered with snow.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She put the books on the ____ shelf because she could not reach it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She lives on the ____ floor of the building, which provides her with a spectacular view.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *upó Proto-Germanic *ub Proto-Germanic *upp Proto-West Germanic *upp Old English upp Middle English up Proto-Indo-European *-yōs Proto-Germanic *-izô Proto-West Germanic *-iʀō Proto-Germanic *-ōzô Proto-West Germanic *-ōʀō Old English -ra Middle English -er Middle English upper English upper Inherited from Middle English upper. By surface analysis, up + -er.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Eye Girl is very moody. She is always zooted up on some really foul combination of uppers and downers and Rollerblading. Her bouts of Rollerblading seem to coincide with fights with Eye Guy."
— 1997, Maggie Estep, Diary of an Emotional Idiot: A Novel, New York, N.Y.: Harmony Books, →ISBN, page 6:
"Say, for example, a person starts with the use of a downer that reduces any anxiety and produces a sense of relaxation. When their energy levels drop, they take a stimulant in order to continue participating in the party or another event. This creates a cycle that could lead to significant drug use and drastically increases the risk of overdose or death. It is critical to know which drugs are uppers and downers to avoid this combination."
— 2024 April 10 [2020 August 27], Nick B., “Which Drugs Are Uppers And Downers?”, in The Freedom Center, archived from the original on 21 Feb 2025:
"The slewing ring is basically a large bearing upon which the upper is mounted. The outer race of the slewing ring is bolted to the upper, and the inner race is bolted to the car-body."
— 1992, Organizational, Direct Support, and General Support, page 5:
"These lines, GH and PC, are cut when the outline of the upper is cut out."
— 2012, Reginald Laubin, Gladys Laubin, The Indian Tipi: Its History, Construction, and Use:
"The uppers of his patent-leather shoes were hidden by fawn spats."
— 1930, Dashiell Hammett, chapter 4, in The Maltese Falcon, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, page 52:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She put the books on the ____ shelf because she could not reach it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She lives on the ____ floor of the building, which provides her with a spectacular view.