Definition

Adjective: 1. Designed for or appealing to wealthy or high-income consumers; luxurious and expensive. This describes products, services, or establishments that are of high quality, have a sophisticated image, and are priced above average, targeting an affluent market segment.

Usage

The adjective "upmarket" is used to describe something that is positioned at the high-quality, high-price end of the market. It often implies not just expense but also sophistication, exclusivity, and superior design or materials. It is frequently used in business, marketing, and everyday contexts to discuss consumer goods, retail locations, neighborhoods, or services.

Examples

• The company is rebranding its products to appeal to a more upmarket clientele.
• They moved to an upmarket neighborhood with boutique shops and gourmet restaurants.
• The magazine's new design is sleeker and more upmarket.

Advanced Usage

• Used as an adverb (informal): In informal contexts, "upmarket" can function as an adverb meaning "toward the more expensive or sophisticated sector of the market."
  • The store has moved upmarket since its redesign.
• Comparative and Superlative Forms: "More upmarket" and "most upmarket" are commonly used, as "upmarketer" and "upmarketest" are not standard forms.
  • This year's model is more upmarket than the last.

Variants and Related Words

• Upmarket (adv.): Informally, as described above.
• Upwardly mobile (adj.): Having the potential or desire to move to a higher social class, often associated with consuming upmarket goods.

Synonyms

• Upscale: Very similar in meaning, often used interchangeably.
• High-end: Emphasizes the top tier of quality and price within a product category.
• Luxury: Stresses lavishness, indulgence, and often superior craftsmanship.
• Exclusive: Highlights limited availability and access, often correlating with high price.

Antonyms

• Downmarket: Designed for or appealing to consumers with lower incomes; inexpensive and less sophisticated.
• Budget: Emphasizing low cost.
• Mass-market: Produced for and aimed at the general population, not a niche, affluent segment.

Adjective

1. designed for consumers with high incomes
   • he turned up in well-cut clothes...and upmarket felt hats- New Yorker