upstanding

[uhp-stan-ding]

adjective

1. upright; honorable; straightforward.

2. of a fine, vigorous type.

3. erect; erect and tall.

upstanding

/ ʌpˈstændɪŋ /

adjective

1. of good character

2. upright and vigorous in build

3. 1. (in a court of law) a direction to all persons present to rise to their feet before the judge enters or leaves the court

   2. (at a formal dinner) a direction to all persons present to rise to their feet for a toast

Other Word Forms

• upstandingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of upstanding¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English upstandende; up-, stand, -ing ²

Example Sentences

As is the case in these mysteries, the upstanding citizens are propped up by a whole lot of lowlifes, but few as fearsome as Scott Shepherd’s chilly construction manager, Allen Murphy.

From Salon

Jim Palmer, an upstanding and righteous pitcher and broadcaster, may understand the hypocrisy of baseball’s new embrace of gambling, but it’s still a narrow issue for him.

From Salon

A top-notch campus alone does not produce academic achievement — and, conversely, a brilliant teacher and an assiduous student in a one-room schoolhouse can make for an upstanding education.

From Los Angeles Times

"Please be upstanding for the world's most confusing House of Games contestant and Bake Off failure, Self Esteem!"

From BBC

Sager said he’s gratified Hunter will remain present in his children’s lives and hoped that even critics will see Hunter’s admitted debauchery as a blip in an upstanding life.

From Los Angeles Times