uppermost
gb/ˈʌpɚmˌoʊst/ us/ˈʌpɚmˌoʊst/
B1
English
~ 9500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
most important; foremost in mind
Most important in a situation, or the main thing that someone is thinking about.
Usage pattern:
be uppermost in [someone]'s mind / thoughts
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "more upper" or "most upper" instead of "uppermost". "Uppermost" already means the most important or the most high, so it does not take "more" or "most" before it. They may also confuse "uppermost" with "upper"; use "uppermost" when you want to stress that something is the single most important, not just higher.
Synonyms
foremost (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and common than "uppermost" in this mental/priority sense.)
|
principal (Stresses being the main or primary one, often in more formal or written contexts.)
Antonyms
secondary (Suggests something is less important or not the main concern, the opposite of being uppermost in importance.)
Collocations
be uppermost
|uppermost in [someone]'s mind
|remain uppermost
|concern uppermost
|fear uppermost
|keep [something] uppermost
Themes
thinking
|priorities
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- With the deadline so close, the report was uppermost in her mind.
- His children’s safety was uppermost in his thoughts during the storm.
- Keeping customer trust uppermost in our decisions has guided the whole project.
- At that moment, getting medical help was uppermost in everyone’s mind.
- Political worries were uppermost for voters ahead of the election.
Learner examples
- My exam is uppermost in my mind this week.
- Her health was uppermost in his thoughts after the accident.
- When you drive, safety should be uppermost in your mind.
- Right now, money is uppermost in their minds.
- The child’s needs were uppermost for the parents.
adjective
B1
property
2
highest in physical position
At the highest part of something; at the very top.
Usage pattern:
the uppermost [part / layer / section] of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may say "more upper" or "most upper" to talk about the highest part. Use "uppermost" or "top" instead. Also, use "uppermost" for the single highest part of one thing, not just something that is high in general.
Synonyms
topmost (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and a little less formal in everyday descriptions of physical position.)
Antonyms
lowermost (Refers to the part that is physically the lowest, the opposite of the uppermost part.)
Collocations
uppermost layer
|uppermost branch
|uppermost floor
|uppermost part
|uppermost shelf
|uppermost section
Themes
space
|nature
|objects
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We store the rarely used files on the uppermost shelf.
- Snow still covered the uppermost peaks of the mountains.
- The uppermost layer of soil was washed away by the rain.
- The painting hung on the uppermost part of the wall.
- Birds nested in the uppermost branches of the old tree.
Learner examples
- The glass is on the uppermost shelf.
- We could see snow on the uppermost mountain tops.
- Please check the uppermost part of the door for dust.
- She put the heavy boxes on the uppermost rack.
- Apples grew on the uppermost branches of the tree.
Grammar
Dictionary form
uppermost
IPA
GB/ˈʌpɚmˌoʊst/
US/ˈʌpɚmˌoʊst/
Syllables & stress
up - per - most (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (up)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: uppermost
Word family
Expressions
keep [something] uppermost in mind
1/kˈip sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈʌpɚmˌoʊst ˈɪn mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
remember as the top priority
To remember something as the most important thing when you make plans or decisions.
Examples
- When you design the app, keep the user’s needs uppermost in mind.
- We must keep safety uppermost in mind during the event.
uppermost in [someone]'s mind
1/ˈʌpɚmˌoʊst ˈɪn sˈoʊmˈoʊnz mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
the main thing someone thinks about
To be the main thing that someone is thinking about or worrying about at a particular time.
Examples
- The cost of living is uppermost in many voters' minds this year.
- Her missing son was uppermost in her mind throughout the long night.