upright

/' p'rait/

Definition

Adjective:
- Vertical or erect in position: Describes something positioned perpendicular to the ground, not leaning or lying down.
- Morally correct, honest, and just: Describes a person of good character who adheres to strong ethical principles.
Noun:
- A vertical structural element: A post, beam, or pole that stands vertically to provide support.
- An upright piano: A type of piano with a vertical frame and strings.
- A goalpost in sports: One of the two vertical posts that form part of a goal structure, as in rugby or American football.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- After the earthquake, only a few walls remained upright. (Describing vertical position)
- She is known as an upright citizen who always follows the law. (Describing moral character)
Noun:
- The carpenter installed a new wooden upright to support the porch roof. (A vertical support)
- They learned to play on an old upright in the living room. (An upright piano)
- The kick was successful, sailing directly between the uprights. (Goalposts in sports)

Advanced Usage

"Bolt upright": An adverbial phrase meaning suddenly sitting or standing very straight, often due to surprise or alertness.
- The loud noise made him sit bolt upright in bed.
"Upright and respectable": A common collocation emphasizing both moral integrity and social standing.
- He built a reputation as an upright and respectable businessman.

Variants and Related Words

Uprightness (n): The quality of being honest or morally correct.
- Her uprightness was never in question.
Upright piano (n): A specific compound term for the vertical piano.
- The space was too small for a grand piano, so they bought an upright piano.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases and Idioms

To keep/maintain an upright posture: To sit or stand with a straight back.
- It is important to maintain an upright posture while working at a desk.
An upright member of the community: A person who is respected for their good character and contributions to society.
- For decades, she was considered an upright member of the community.

Adjective

upright in position or posture
- an erect stature
- erect flower stalks
- for a dog, an erect tail indicates aggression
- a column still vertical amid the ruins
- he sat bolt upright
of moral excellence
- a genuinely good person
- a just cause
- an upright and respectable man
in a vertical position; not sloping
- an upright post

Noun

a piano with a vertical sounding board
a vertical structural member as a post or stake
- the ball sailed between the uprights

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