Definition

1. Adverb:

   • In a direction from lower to higher: Moving or pointing towards a higher position or level.
   • Towards a higher amount, degree, or level: Indicating an increase in quantity, value, or intensity.
   • Towards a later time or a more advanced state: Moving forward in time or progress.

2. Adjective:

   • Moving, pointing, or leading to a higher place or level: Describing something that extends or goes up.
   • Increasing in amount, value, or level: Describing a trend that is rising.

Usage and Examples

• Adverb:

  • The balloon floated upward into the clear blue sky. (Describes direction of movement.)
  • Prices have been trending upward for the past quarter. (Describes a trend of increase.)
  • From that point upward, the path became much steeper. (Can indicate a point from which something continues.)

• Adjective:

  • The graph shows a steady upward curve. (Modifies a noun to describe its rising nature.)
  • She gave an upward nod of her head. (Describes the direction of a movement.)

Advanced Usage and Notes

• "Upward(s) of": This phrase means "more than" a particular number or amount. It is used before a number.

  • The project cost upward of a million dollars.
  • Note: Both "upward of" and "upwards of" are used, with "upwards of" being slightly more common.

• "Upward mobility": A sociological term describing the movement of an individual or group to a higher social or economic class.

  • The scholarship program is designed to promote social upward mobility.

Variants and Related Words

• Upwards (Adverb): This is the more common form in UK English and is often used interchangeably with "upward" as an adverb, especially in the phrases "upwards of" and for general directional meaning (e.g., ).
• Upwardly (Adverb): A less common variant, often used in formal or technical contexts (e.g., ). It is the adverbial form of the adjective "upward."
• Upward-bound (Adjective): Moving or directed upward.

Synonyms

• Upwards: (Adverb) In a higher direction.
• Rising: (Adjective) Increasing or going up.
• Ascending: (Adjective/Verb) Moving or sloping upward.

Antonyms

• Downward: Moving or pointing towards a lower position.
• Descending: Moving or sloping downward.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• On the upward track/path: Improving or becoming more successful.
  • After a difficult year, his career is finally on the upward track.
• Face upward: With the front or top side pointing up.
  • She laid the cards face upward on the table.

Adjective

1. extending or moving toward a higher place
   • the up staircase
   • a general upward movement of fish
2. directed up
   • the cards were face upward
   • an upward stroke of the pen

Adverb

1. to a later time
   • they moved the meeting date up
   • from childhood upward
2. spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
   • look up!
   • the music surged up
   • the fragments flew upwards
   • prices soared upwards
   • upwardly mobile