upbeat

[uhp-beet]

noun

Music.

1. an unaccented beat, especially immediately preceding a downbeat.

2. the upward stroke with which a conductor indicates such a beat.

adjective

1. optimistic; happy; cheerful.

   television dramas with predictably upbeat endings.

upbeat

/ ˈʌpˌbiːt /

noun

1. music

   1. a usually unaccented beat, esp the last in a bar

   2. the upward gesture of a conductor's baton indicating this Compare downbeat

2. an upward trend (in prosperity, etc)

adjective

1. informal,  marked by cheerfulness or optimism

Word History and Origins

Origin of upbeat¹

1865–70; 1950–55 upbeat for def. 3; up- + beat

Example Sentences

The eight-time Pro Bowl selection remained upbeat in the immediate aftermath of the injury, joking around with teammates and smiling and gesturing to the Miami crowd as he was carted off the field.

From Los Angeles Times

They may also chip away at your mood slowly, through backhanded compliments or pressuring you to be upbeat, where they don't allow you to express how you are really feeling.

From BBC

Sarwar addressed the conference with an upbeat message despite recent opinion polls suggesting support for his party in Scotland has fallen substantially since the general election, with Reform challenging Labour for second place.

From BBC

"The latest economic data are considerably more upbeat than the droopy August jobs report," said Bill Adams, chief economist for Comerica Bank.

From BBC

Companies that make consumer goods are also upbeat about a pick-up in demand.

From BBC

Related Words

• buoyant 
• cheery 
• encouraging www.thesaurus.com
• happy 
• hopeful 
• optimistic 
• positive 
• rosy 
• sanguine