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upright definition

up·right (up′rīt′; for adj. and adv., also up rīt′)

adjective

  1. standing, pointing, or directed straight up; in a vertical or perpendicular position; erect
  2. honest and just; honorable

Etymology: ME < OE upriht: see up & right

adverb

in an upright position or direction

noun

  1. the state of being upright or vertical
  2. something having an upright position; vertical part or member
    1. upright bass
    2. upright piano
  4. ☆
    1. Football either of the two vertical parts extending up from the crossbar of a goal post
    2. one of the two standards supporting the crossbar in the high jump or pole vault

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms upright idiom

upright Synonyms

upright

modif.

  1. Vertical

    erect, standing, standing up, on one's feet, perpendicular, sky-pointing, steep, exalted, elevated, plumb, straight, upward, end up, on end, bolt upright, upended.

  2. Honorable

    ethical, moral, virtuous, exalted, straightforward, correct, circumspect, unimpeachable, punctilious, honest, principled, fair, impartial, incorruptible, aboveboard, high-minded, respectable, manly, right.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

upright Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • sit: She was sitting bolt upright with her jaw set in a tight line, desperately trying not to laugh.

Adjective modifier

  • left-hand: Then Rommedahl's cross was half-cleared to Danny Murphy, who drilled his shot wide of the left-hand upright.

Modifies a noun

  • posture: Then slowly restore an upright posture, starting at the ankles.

Modifying Another Word

  • morally: God has also been believed to be the ultimate justification for living a loving and morally upright life.

Noun used with modifier

  • bolt: She was sitting bolt upright with her jaw set in a tight line, desperately trying not to laugh.

Used with adjective complement

  • sit: Once your baby begins to be able to sit upright they can be carried on your hip.
upright usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"upright." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/upright>

APA Style

upright. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/upright

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