upstairs

American  

[uhp-stairz] / ˈʌpˈstɛərz /

especially British, above stairs

adverb

1. up the stairs; to or on an upper floor.

2. Informal. in the mind.

   to be a little weak upstairs.

3. to or at a higher level of authority.

   You may have to take the matter upstairs.

4. Military Slang. at or to a higher level in the air.

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adjective

1. Also upstair of, relating to, or situated on an upper floor.

   an upstairs window;

   an upstairs apartment.

noun

• upstairs
  plural

1. (usually used with a singular verb) an upper story or stories; the part of a building or house that is above the ground floor.

   The upstairs of this house is entirely rented.

2. a higher command or level of authority.

   We can't take action till we have approval from upstairs.

idioms

1. kick upstairs, to promote (a person) to a higher position, usually having less authority, in order to be rid of them.

upstairs British  

/ ˈʌpˈstɛəz /

adverb

1. up the stairs; to or on an upper floor or level

2. informal to or into a higher rank or office

3. informal in the mind

   a little weak upstairs

4. informal to promote to a higher rank or position, esp one that carries less power

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noun

1. 1. an upper floor or level

   2. ( as modifier )

      an upstairs room

2. informal the masters and mistresses of a household collectively, esp of a large house Compare downstairs

upstairs More Idioms  

1. see kick upstairs.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• upstairs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of upstairs

First recorded in 1590–1600; up- + stairs

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

upstairs

The enigmatic trumpets sounded at the film’s beginning re-enter, their meaning now terribly clear; the orchestra convulses and collapses, and Alex marches upstairs, shown in an aerial shot punctuated with doleful timpani.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

But shelling out a joint-British record fee showcased City's perseverance to acquire their man and those upstairs at Etihad Stadium have shown unequivocal faith to both player and manager.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

She also said Natalie's 15-year-old daughter and a friend had managed to escape through an upstairs window.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

There’s an upstairs restaurant, spa services, a pool and boathouse bar, along with a dock and private beach at the end of the short trail that feels like a secret path.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

When the shop and the workroom would not hold another bouquet, Betsie and I started carrying them upstairs to the two rooms above the shop.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom