upstanding

American

[uhp-stan-ding] / ʌpˈstæn dɪŋ /

adjective

upright; honorable; straightforward.
of a fine, vigorous type.
erect; erect and tall.

upstanding British

/ ʌpˈstændɪŋ /

adjective

of good character
upright and vigorous in build
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

"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

Other Word Forms

upstandingness noun

Etymology

Origin of upstanding

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Local leaders and families are ordered to identify those they recognise as upstanding citizens.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

None of us gets out without doing some damage to someone else’s heart, no matter how upstanding we think we may be.

From Salon • Oct. 29, 2025

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

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2025

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 • Dec. 3, 2024

Johnny, remembering the gawky, callow, but upstanding young leather-dresser of Fish Street, was surprised that anyone could value him so highly.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023