Definition of UPWARDS
UPWARDS Adverb
Upwards is an adverb that indicates a direction toward a higher position, level, or degree. It denotes movement, growth, or change that occurs in an upward direction, whether physically, metaphorically, or quantitatively.
Physical Movement: In its most literal sense, upwards describes physical movement or motion directed toward a higher point or elevation. It can refer to actions such as climbing stairs, ascending a hill, or flying upward into the sky.
Metaphorical Growth: Beyond its literal meaning, upwards is often used metaphorically to describe growth, progress, or improvement. It may denote an upward trajectory in various aspects of life, such as career advancement, personal development, or academic achievement.
Increasing Quantity or Intensity: Upwards can also indicate an increase in quantity, intensity, or magnitude. It may refer to rising numbers, values, prices, temperatures, or other measurable quantities that trend upward over time.
Positive Outlook or Attitude: In a figurative sense, upwards may convey a positive outlook, attitude, or mindset characterized by optimism, hope, and aspiration. It suggests looking upward toward brighter prospects, opportunities, or possibilities for the future.
Direction of Change or Progress: Upwards signifies the direction of change or progress that leads toward improvement, advancement, or success. It implies moving forward, upward, or onward in pursuit of goals, objectives, or aspirations.
As an adverb, upwards denotes movement, growth, or change directed toward a higher position, level, or degree. Whether describing physical ascent, metaphorical growth, increasing quantity or intensity, positive outlook, or direction of change and progress, upwards conveys a sense of upward movement, improvement, and advancement in various contexts of life and experience.
Examples of UPWARDS in a sentence
- The arrow pointed upwards toward the sky, indicating a vertical direction.
- As the economy improved, employment rates trended upwards, providing hope for job seekers.
- She watched the kite soar upwards into the clouds, carried by the wind.
- The temperature began to climb upwards as summer approached, bringing warmer weather.
- The company’s profits continued to climb upwards quarter after quarter, exceeding expectations.
- With determination and perseverance, she climbed upwards towards her goals, overcoming obstacles along the way.
- The number of COVID-19 cases trended upwards again as the virus spread rapidly throughout the community.
- His spirits lifted upwards as he received encouragement and support from friends and family.
Origin of UPWARDS
The word upwards has its roots in Old English and has undergone various transformations over time:
- Old English: The Old English form of upwards was “upweard,” where “up” denoted the direction or position of being higher, and “weard” meant “toward” or “in the direction of.”
- Middle English: In Middle English, the term evolved to “upward,” maintaining its fundamental meaning of moving or pointing in an upward direction.
- Etymology: The word is a combination of “up” and “ward.” “Up” signifies a higher position, and “ward” implies a direction or movement. This structure is consistent with its Old English origin.
- Modern Usage: Over time, the spelling transitioned from “upward” to upwards without a significant shift in meaning. In contemporary English, upwards is commonly used as an adverb to indicate movement, direction, or progression toward a higher point.
The etymology of upwards reflects its historical development, demonstrating its continuity from Old English to its present usage in modern English. The word has retained its core meaning of indicating movement or direction towards a higher position.
Synonyms
- Skyward
- Ascending
- Climbing
- Elevated
- Soaring
- Advancing
- Rising
- Spiraling
Antonyms
- Downward
- Descending
- Dropping
- Declining
- Lowering
- Descending
- Dipping
- Sinking
Related
- Upward
- Upwardly
- Up
- Upward trend
- Ascension
- Elevation
- Upward movement
- Upward shift
🌐 🇬🇧 UPWARDS in other languages
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | Hacia arriba |
| French 🇫🇷 | Vers le haut |
| German 🇩🇪 | Nach oben |
| Chinese (simpl) 🇨🇳 | 向上 |
| Chinese (trad) 🇨🇳 | 向上 |
| Italian 🇮🇹 | Verso l’alto |
| Portuguese 🇵🇹 | Para cima |
| Dutch 🇳🇱 | Omhoog |
| Swedish 🇸🇪 | Uppåt |
| Norwegian 🇳🇴 | Oppover |
| Finnish 🇫🇮 | Ylöspäin |
| Romanian 🇷🇴 | În sus |
| Polish 🇵🇱 | W górę |
| Hungarian 🇭🇺 | Felfelé |
| Czech 🇨🇿 | Nahoru |
| Bulgarian 🇧🇬 | Нагоре |
| Ukrainian 🇺🇦 | Вгору |
| Russian 🇷🇺 | Вверх |
| Turkish 🇹🇷 | Yukarı |
| Azerbaijani 🇦🇿 | yuxarı |
| Armenian 🇦🇲 | Դեպի վեր |
| Arabic 🇸🇦 | صعودا |
| Hebrew 🇮🇱 | כְּלַפֵּי מַעְלָה |
| Urdu 🇵🇰 | اوپر کی طرف |
| Farsi/Persian 🇮🇷 | به سمت بالا |
| Hindi 🇮🇳 | ऊपर की ओर |
| Bengaleli/se 🇧🇩 | উপরের দিকে |
| Marathi 🇮🇳 | वरच्या दिशेने |
| Telugu 🇮🇳 | పైకి |
| Tamil 🇮🇳 | மேல்நோக்கி |
| Gujarati 🇮🇳 | ઉપરની તરફ |
| Kannada 🇮🇳 | ಮೇಲಕ್ಕೆ |
| Odia (Orya) 🇮🇳 | ଉପରକୁ |
| Malayalam 🇮🇳 | മുകളിലേക്ക് |
| Punjabi 🇮🇳 | ਉੱਪਰ ਵੱਲ |
| Sinhala/ese 🇱🇰 | ඉහළට |
| Nepali 🇳🇵 | माथि |
| Burmese 🇲🇲 | အထက်သို့ |
| Thai 🇹🇭 | ขึ้นไป |
| Vietnamese 🇻🇳 | Trở lên |
| Malay 🇲🇾 | Ke atas |
| Indonesian 🇮🇩 | Ke atas |
| Tagalog 🇵🇭 | Pataas |
| Japanese 🇯🇵 | 上向き |
| Korean 🇰🇷 | 위로 향하여 |
| Oromo 🇪🇹 | Gara oliitti |
| Somali 🇸🇴 | Kor |
| Amharic 🇪🇹 | ወደላይ |
| Swahili 🇹🇿 | Juu |
| Yoruba 🇳🇬 | Si oke |