upper

¹ American  

[uhp-er] / ˈʌp ər /

adjective

1. higher, as in place, position, pitch, or in a scale: the upper register of a singer's voice.

   the upper stories of a house;

   the upper register of a singer's voice.

2. superior, as in rank, dignity, or station.

3. (of places) at a higher level, more northerly, or farther from the sea: upper New York State.

   the upper slopes of a mountain;

   upper New York State.

4. Stratigraphy.  Often Upper denoting a later division of a period, system, or the like.

   the Upper Devonian.

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noun

1. the part of a shoe or boot above the sole, comprising the quarter, vamp, counter, and lining.

2. an upper berth.

3. a gaiter made of cloth.

4. Usually uppers

   1. an upper dental plate.

   2. an upper tooth.

5. Informal.  the higher of two bunks or berths.

idioms

1. on one's uppers,  reduced to poverty; without sufficient means.

   They are on their uppers but manage to hide the fact from their friends.

upper ² American  

[uhp-er] / ˈʌp ər /

noun

Slang.

1. a stimulant drug, especially an amphetamine.

2. a pleasant or elating experience, person, or situation.

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upper British  

/ ˈʌpə /

adjective

1. higher or highest in relation to physical position, wealth, rank, status, etc

2. (capital when part of a name) lying farther upstream, inland, or farther north

   the upper valley of the Loire

3. (capital when part of a name) geology archaeol denoting the late part or division of a period, system, formation, etc

   Upper Palaeolithic

4. maths (of a limit or bound) greater than or equal to one or more numbers or variables

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noun

1. the higher of two objects, people, etc

2. the part of a shoe above the sole, covering the upper surface of the foot

3. extremely poor; destitute

4. informal  any tooth of the upper jaw

5. Also called (esp US): up.  slang  any of various drugs having a stimulant or euphoric effect Compare downer

upper Scientific  

/ ŭp′ər /

1. Being a later or more recent division of the geological or archaeological period named.

2. Compare lower

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upper More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing upper

• keep a stiff upper lip
• on one's uppers

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Etymology

Origin of upper¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; up (adjective), -er ⁴

Origin of upper¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; up + -er ¹

Example Sentences

But this fall, Russian forces have gained the upper hand in the tactical drone contest for the first time.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are meant to be injected into the upper arm, thigh, or stomach, with doses gradually increased.

From BBC

When one of these outbursts hits, it can heat up the upper parts of a planet’s atmosphere.

From Space Scoop

It also found that consumers who identified as upper class are nearly twice as satisfied with resolution outcomes compared with those in the middle, working, and lower classes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Residents scrambled to exit, but many were trapped on the upper levels of the towers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• uppermost