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.); see up-, start

Explanation

An upstart is someone who's cocky and arrogant, and who doesn't show much respect for other people. There are many ways of starting up trouble — one is by being an upstart. Upstarts are people who are full of themselves and dismissive of others. Often, an upstart is a young person or newcomer. A new employee who acts like he knows more than everyone else is an upstart. An arrogant rookie on a sports team is an upstart. In the 1500s, upstart and start-up were both used to mean the same thing, "one newly risen in importance."

Example Sentences

Caintic said that a bank charter will mitigate the potential downsides for Upstart that stemmed from its exposure to private credit, which had been a key reason behind his previously held neutral rating.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

He expects Upstart to increase its adjusted operating earnings per share by 60% annually.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

Some, like Upstart and Block, focus specifically on lower-FICO customers.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

Upstart cargo airlines are forging what they call a modern silk road, connecting factory hubs in China to population centers across Europe, where Chinese immigrants get paid to store goods in spare rooms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

Upstart weasel, he’d only joined up a day or two ago.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques