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.

---

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

---

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

Meanwhile, the whole industry is threatened by upstart, high-tech Chinese carmakers that are making lower-cost vehicles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

An upstart competitor would have to gain access to a customer’s data and organize it.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

She and Penchansky say UTA is as willing to sign a supernova as an upstart; follower counts are less important than a unique point of view.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

In a series of viral commercials, AI upstart Anthropic broadcast to football fans that they should avoid AI with ads.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

I move toward the young upstart, and he retreats.

From "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate