What does upward mean?
Upward is a familiar directional word used both as an adjective and as an adverb. It describes movement or orientation toward a higher place, level, or point: a path may lead upward, while an upward glance points toward the sky. It also conveys increase or improvement, as with an upward trend in sales, rising prices, or upward social mobility. In such contexts, upward often suggests progress, although it does not guarantee that the increase will continue. Grammatically, upward can modify a noun, as in “an upward swing,” or stand alone as an adverb, as in “costs continued upward.” The related adverb upwards is also standard, especially in British English, while both upward and upwards are accepted in American English. Upward of is a less common comparison meaning “more than” or “in excess of.” The word’s plain, neutral tone makes it especially useful for describing physical direction, quantitative change, and social movement without the stronger implications carried by words such as soar or climb.
Directed toward a higher position or level; rising or increasing in amount, value, or intensity.
"The company reported an upward trend in quarterly revenue."
When used attributively, upward normally precedes a noun, as in “an upward movement” or “an upward trend.”
In or toward a higher position, level, or value.
"The elevator moved upward as the storm clouds gathered below."
Upward can stand alone as an adverb, and the form upwards is also standard, particularly in British usage.
The “-ward” in upward means “in the direction of,” so the word literally points toward up.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does upward come from?
The word was formed in Middle English from Old English upp, meaning “up,” and the Old English-derived suffix -ward, meaning “in the direction of.” The same upp element is preserved in upper, upright, uphold, and upon, although their modern meanings have developed in different ways. In upward, the suffix -ward makes the direction of the original word explicit.
Related word forms
How upward is actually used
The term has a neutral, broadly formal tone. British usage often favors “upwards” as an adverb, while American usage commonly uses “upward,” although both forms are accepted in both varieties.
Easily confused with upward
Upward can be an adjective or an adverb, whereas upwards is used only as an adverb.