upstart

American  

[uhp-stahrt, uhp-stahrt] / ˈʌpˌstɑrt, ʌpˈstɑrt /

noun

1. a person who has risen suddenly from a humble position to wealth, power, or a position of consequence.

2. a presumptuous and objectionable person who has so risen; parvenu.

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adjective

1. being, resembling, or characteristic of an upstart.

verb (used without object)

1. to spring into existence or into view.

2. to start up; spring up, as to one's feet.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to start up.

upstart British  

noun

1. 1. a person, group, etc, that has risen suddenly to a position of power or wealth

   2. ( as modifier )

      an upstart tyrant

      an upstart family

2. 1. an arrogant or presumptuous person

   2. ( as modifier )

      his upstart ambition

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verb

1. archaic (intr) to start up, as in surprise, etc

Other Word Forms

• upstartness noun

Etymology

Origin of upstart

1275–1325; Middle English (v.); up-, start

Example Sentences

Then there’s the upstart GRU Space, created just last year with the goal of building hotels on the moon.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

But then slower growth around the world and intense competition from upstart brands forced long-stable consumer-goods companies to rethink their strategies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Now he was Han Solo in “Star Wars,” directed by a young upstart, George Lucas.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

For the former small business adviser from Suffolk, taking a small stake in the upstart beer company from north east Scotland seemed an opportunity too good to miss.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

It was an honor that Uncle might not have given the emperor himself—not even a real emperor of the Tang people, to say nothing of that upstart Manchu one that claimed the throne.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep