Upwards

//ˈʌpwɚdz// adv

adv ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    Towards a (higher) position closer to the sky than the ground. not-comparable

    "look upwards"

  2. 2
    To a higher figure or amount. not-comparable

    "Prices are moving steadily upwards."

  3. 3
    Towards something which is higher in order, larger, superior etc. not-comparable
  4. 4
    Backwards in time, into the past. not-comparable
  5. 5
    To or into later life. not-comparable
Adverb
  1. 1
    spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position wordnet
  2. 2
    to a later time wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
abovealoftaloofhighin the airon high

Example

More examples

"The kite soared upwards with the swiftness of a bird."

Etymology

From Middle English upwardes, from Old English upweardes, equivalent to up + -wards. Cognate with Dutch opwaarts (“upwards”), German aufwärts (“upwards”).

Related phrases

bottom-upwardsfail upwardsonwards and upwardspunch upwardsupward ofupwards of

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.