upper

¹

[ uhp-er ]

adjective

1. higher, as in place, position, pitch, or in a scale: the upper register of a singer's voice.

   the upper stories of a house;

   the upper register of a singer's voice.

2. superior, as in rank, dignity, or station.
3. (of places) at a higher level, more northerly, or farther from the sea: upper New York State.

   the upper slopes of a mountain;

   upper New York State.

4. Often Upper. Stratigraphy. denoting a later division of a period, system, or the like:

   the Upper Devonian.

noun

1. the part of a shoe or boot above the sole, comprising the quarter, vamp, counter, and lining.
2. an upper berth.
3. a gaiter made of cloth. Compare gaiter ( def 1 ).
4. Usually uppers.
   1. an upper dental plate.
   2. an upper tooth.
5. Informal. the higher of two bunks or berths.

upper

²

[ uhp-er ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a stimulant drug, especially an amphetamine.
2. a pleasant or elating experience, person, or situation.

upper

/ ˈʌpə /

adjective

1. higher or highest in relation to physical position, wealth, rank, status, etc
2. capital when part of a name lying farther upstream, inland, or farther north

   the upper valley of the Loire

3. capital when part of a name geology archaeol denoting the late part or division of a period, system, formation, etc

   Upper Palaeolithic

4. maths (of a limit or bound) greater than or equal to one or more numbers or variables

noun

1. the higher of two objects, people, etc
2. the part of a shoe above the sole, covering the upper surface of the foot
3. on one's uppers
   extremely poor; destitute
4. informal.
   any tooth of the upper jaw
5. slang.
   Also called (esp US)up any of various drugs having a stimulant or euphoric effect Compare downer

upper

/ ŭp′ər /

1. Being a later or more recent division of the geological or archaeological period named.
2. Compare lower

Word History and Origins

Origin of upper¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; up (adjective), -er ⁴

Origin of upper²

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; up + -er ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on one's uppers, Informal. reduced to poverty; without sufficient means:

   They are on their uppers but manage to hide the fact from their friends.

More idioms and phrases containing upper

• keep a stiff upper lip
• on one's uppers

Related Words

• elevated