upper

[ uhp-er ]

/ ˈʌp ər /

adjective

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

superior, as in rank, dignity, or station.

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

(often initial capital letter) Stratigraphy. denoting a later division of a period, system, or the like: the Upper Devonian.

noun

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

an upper berth.

a gaiter made of cloth.Compare gaiter(def 1).

Usually uppers,

an upper dental plate.
an upper tooth.

Informal. the higher of two bunks or berths.

Words nearby upper

upmanship, upmarket, upmost, upolu, upon, upper, upper air, upper airway, upper arlington, upper arm, upper atmosphere

Idioms for upper

on one's uppers, Informal. reduced to poverty; without sufficient means: They are on their uppers but manage to hide the fact from their friends.

Origin of upper

1300–50; Middle English; see up (adj.), -er⁴

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for on one's uppers

upper

/ (ˈʌpə) /

adjective

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

(capital when part of a name) lying farther upstream, inland, or farther norththe upper valley of the Loire

(capital when part of a name) geology archaeol denoting the late part or division of a period, system, formation, etcUpper Palaeolithic

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

noun

the higher of two objects, people, etc

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

on one's uppers extremely poor; destitute

informal any tooth of the upper jaw

Also called (esp US): up slang any of various drugs having a stimulant or euphoric effectCompare downer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for on one's uppers

upper

[ ŭp′ər ]

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

Idioms and Phrases with on one's uppers (1 of 2)

on one's uppers

Poor, in reduced circumstances, as in as in The Smiths try to hide the fact that they're on their uppers. First recorded in 1886, this metaphoric term alludes to having worn out the soles of one's shoes so badly that only the top portions remain.

Idioms and Phrases with on one's uppers (2 of 2)

upper

In addition to the idioms beginning with upper

upper crust
upper hand
upper story

also see:

keep a stiff upper lip
on one's uppers

upper

adjective

noun

Words related to upper

Words nearby upper

Idioms for upper

Origin of upper

British Dictionary definitions for on one's uppers

adjective

noun

Scientific definitions for on one's uppers

Idioms and Phrases with on one's uppers (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with on one's uppers (2 of 2)