Dictionary monolingual
English

Up

əp
Extremely common
600 - 700
600 - 700
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Up -

Moving or positioned higher in position or level

Example: She looked up at the sky.
Usage: formalContext: describing physical location or direction
Note: Can refer to physical or metaphorical elevation

Toward a higher place or position

Example: He climbed up the ladder.
Usage: informalContext: everyday actions
Note: Commonly used for actions involving movement upward

Completed or finished

Example: I'm all up with my homework.
Usage: informalContext: casual conversations
Note: Used to indicate completion of a task or activity

Increasing in amount or intensity

Example: The temperature is going up.
Usage: formalContext: discussing changes or trends
Note: Often used in scientific or technical contexts

In a state of readiness or preparation

Example: Are you up for the challenge?
Usage: informalContext: inviting participation or action
Note: Used to inquire about someone's willingness to do something

Up's synonyms

Above

Above means at a higher level or position than something else.
Example: The painting hung above the fireplace.
Note: While 'up' generally indicates a direction towards a higher position, 'above' specifically refers to a position directly over something else.

Skyward

Skyward means toward the sky or in an upward direction.
Example: The balloons floated skyward into the clouds.
Note: Similar to 'up' in indicating upward movement, 'skyward' emphasizes the direction towards the sky.

Elevated

Elevated means raised to a higher level or position.
Example: The platform was elevated above the ground.
Note: Unlike 'up' which is a general direction, 'elevated' specifically refers to something being raised to a higher level.

Upward

Upward means moving or facing in a direction toward a higher position.
Example: The arrow flew upward into the sky.
Note: Similar to 'up' in indicating upward movement, 'upward' emphasizes the direction of movement towards a higher position.

Up expressions, common phrases

Up to

Means 'as far as' or 'until,' often used to indicate a limit or maximum.
Example: You can choose any dessert up to $10.
Note: The phrase 'up to' implies a boundary or restriction, unlike just 'up' which indicates a direction.

Wake up

To stop sleeping and become conscious.
Example: I need to wake up early for work tomorrow.
Note: While 'up' can just indicate a direction, 'wake up' specifically refers to the action of rousing from sleep.

Make up

To reconcile or resolve a disagreement.
Example: They need to make up after their argument.
Note: Unlike 'up' which is often used for direction, 'make up' involves the act of resolving or restoring a relationship.

Look up

To search for information or a definition.
Example: I'll look up that word in the dictionary.
Note: While 'up' can indicate a physical direction, 'look up' entails seeking information or knowledge.

Cheer up

To make someone feel happier or more positive.
Example: I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.
Note: Unlike 'up' which often signifies a spatial movement, 'cheer up' involves boosting someone's mood or spirits.

Back up

To make a copy of data as a precaution against loss.
Example: Remember to back up your files regularly to avoid losing them.
Note: While 'up' can denote an upward direction, 'back up' refers to creating a duplicate or safeguarding data.

Shut up

A rude way of telling someone to stop talking.
Example: Please shut up, I'm trying to concentrate.
Note: Unlike 'up' which often indicates an upward movement, 'shut up' is a command to cease speaking.

Up everyday (slang) expressions

Up for grabs

This phrase means something is available for anyone to take or claim.
Example: The last piece of cake is up for grabs, whoever gets there first can have it.
Note: The original word 'up' refers to a direction or movement, while 'up for grabs' implies availability or opportunity.

Up in the air

This phrase means something is uncertain or undecided.
Example: The decision is still up in the air, we haven't finalized anything yet.
Note: The original word 'up' denotes a higher position, while 'up in the air' signifies uncertainty.

Up the ante

To increase the stakes or raise the level of a situation.
Example: To attract more players, the casino decided to up the ante in their poker game.
Note: The original word 'up' indicates an upward direction, while 'up the ante' refers to escalating a situation.

Up the creek without a paddle

To be in a difficult or challenging situation without any means of help or control.
Example: If we miss the last bus, we'll be up the creek without a paddle.
Note: The original word 'up' relates to a higher position, while 'up the creek without a paddle' describes being in a helpless situation.

Up to snuff

Meeting a certain standard or being satisfactory in quality.
Example: His performance needs to be up to snuff if he wants to keep his job.
Note: The original word 'up' denotes an upward direction, while 'up to snuff' indicates meeting a standard or requirement.

Up one's sleeve

To have a secret plan or alternative strategy.
Example: She always has a trick up her sleeve when it comes to solving problems.
Note: The original word 'up' refers to a higher position, while 'up one's sleeve' implies having a hidden or secret plan.

Upshot

The final result or conclusion of a situation.
Example: The upshot of the meeting was that we all had to work overtime this weekend.
Note: The original word 'up' relates to a higher position, while 'upshot' refers to the final outcome or consequence.

Up - Examples

The balloon is going up.
Please come up to my office.
The price of the stock is going up.

Up grammar

Up - Adverb (Adverb) / Adverb (Adverb)
Lemma: up
Conjugations
Adjective (Adjective): up
Adverb (Adverb): up
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): ups
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): up
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): upped
Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): upped
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): upping
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): ups
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): up
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): up
Syllables, Separation and Stress
up Contains 1 syllables: up
Phonetic transcription: ˈəp
up , ˈəp (The red syllable is stressed)

Up - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
up: 600 - 700 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Vocafy, efficient language learning
Vocafy, efficient language learning
Vocafy helps you discover, organize, and learn new words and phrases with ease. Build personalized vocabulary collections, and practice anytime, anywhere.