upstanding

[ uhp-stan-ding ]

adjective

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

upstanding

/ ʌpˈstændɪŋ /

adjective

1. of good character
2. upright and vigorous in build
3. be upstanding
   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

Derived Forms

• upˈstandingness, noun

Other Words From

• up·standing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of upstanding¹

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

Example Sentences

"Let us be clear, we will not tolerate the portraits of upstanding public servants, and Democratic Unionists, being damaged in our city hall."

From BBC

Are its sugar and caffeine-packed drinks bad for otherwise upstanding youths?

From Slate

Conservative churches may put men at the top of the family hierarchy, but they also tell men they are responsible for supporting their families and being upstanding members of their communities.

From Slate

Yes there was and it failed, thanks to a single upstanding Republican state senator from Omaha, Mike McDonnell, who refused to go along.

From Los Angeles Times

Adams kicked off his time as mayor with frequent stops to a Manhattan restaurant run by two convicted felons to dine with such upstanding characters as the now-imprisoned Sam Bankman-Fried.

From Slate