What does uppermost mean?
Uppermost means occupying the highest position or holding the greatest rank, degree, or importance. It is more emphatic than a word such as upper: where upper can indicate something above another thing, uppermost identifies the very topmost level in a series or hierarchy. The adjective is used for physical location, as with the uppermost branches of a tree, and for rank or precedence, as with a name placed uppermost on a list. It can also indicate the most important item, such as the uppermost priority in a plan. Uppermost may function as an adverb, meaning in or to the highest place, although this use is less frequent and has a more formal or literary quality. The word is especially useful when a situation involves several levels and the precise highest one must be identified.
Highest in position, rank, degree, or importance.
"The uppermost shelf held the most delicate glassware."
This is the ordinary modern use of the word.
In or to the highest position.
"The climber reached the summit and stood uppermost against the sky."
Less common than the adjectival use and often formal or literary.
Built from upper and the superlative suffix -most, uppermost does not merely mean higher—it points to the very top.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does uppermost come from?
Uppermost was formed in English from upper and the superlative suffix -most. Upper is related to Old English upp, meaning up, while -most continues an Old English superlative suffix associated with words such as foremost and utmost. The compound therefore expresses the idea of the highest or topmost member of a group.
How uppermost is actually used
As an adjective, uppermost is standard in both British and American English. Its adverbial use is less common and often sounds formal or literary.
Easily confused with uppermost
Upper means higher than something else, whereas uppermost means the highest possible position, rank, or degree.