What does upwards mean?
Upwards means toward or into a higher position, as when describing a bird rising, smoke drifting, or a path leading uphill. It can also describe a quantity or trend that is increasing: prices may move upwards, or costs may rise upwards from a certain figure. In the informal phrase “upwards of,” it means “more than,” so a sum may be upwards of a stated amount. The word is understood throughout the English-speaking world but is especially characteristic of British and Irish usage; North American English usually uses upward, which can also serve as an adjective. Upwards is therefore useful not only as a directional adverb but also as a flexible way of expressing increase, scale, and approximate numerical relationships.
adverbIn or toward a higher position, or toward the top of something. In numerical contexts it indicates an increasing amount or level; informally, in the construction “upwards of,” it means “more than.”
- Toward or into a higher position or toward the top of something.
- With reference to an amount, level, or trend, in an increasing direction.
- In the informal construction “upwards of,” meaning “more than” or “greater than.”
"The balloon drifted slowly upwards into the clear morning sky."
"Temperatures continued upwards throughout the afternoon."
"The repairs will cost upwards of two thousand pounds."
The -wards element turns a destination into a direction, as seen in upwards, onwards, downwards, and forwards.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does upwards come from?
Upwards is an English formation combining up with the directional suffix -wards. This suffix descends from Old English -weard, meaning “toward,” and survives in related formations such as onward, forward, and downward. Upward also became established, and the two forms developed different regional preferences without acquiring substantially different meanings.
How upwards is actually used
Upwards is especially characteristic of British and Irish English; North American English generally prefers upward. The expression “upwards of” is informal and is especially common in speech and informal writing.
Easily confused with upwards
Both words express movement toward a higher position, but upwards is especially characteristic of British and Irish English, while upward is more common in North American English and can also function as an adjective.