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

Example Sentences

With an upper hand over other bacteria lacking similar antibiotic resistance, such bacteria should become dominant.

From Science Daily

The score is built around a single chord that over an hour explodes into kaleidoscopic, supernatural-sounding upper harmonic pitches associated with each note.

From Los Angeles Times

Through the window of an upper floor office in West Hollywood, the sky changed from cyan to navy and then indigo blue.

From Los Angeles Times

Historically, the upper chamber has approved cabinet positions quickly - sometimes with little or no debate.

From BBC

The “Fuller House” actor said he was diagnosed with the blood cancer in October after contracting an upper respiratory infection that caused major swelling in his lymph nodes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• elevated