Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a direction from lower to higher: "upwards" indicates movement or orientation toward a higher position, level, or point.
   • Toward a later time or a more advanced state: "upwards" can also describe progression in time, age, or condition.
   • To a greater amount, degree, or number: Used to indicate an increase in quantity or value.

Usage Examples

• Adverb (Direction):
  • The balloon floated upwards into the clear blue sky.
  • She pointed upwards at the stars.
• Adverb (Progression):
  • From that day upwards, his life changed completely.
  • This tradition has been passed down upwards through generations.
• Adverb (Increase):
  • Costs have been revised upwards due to inflation.
  • Estimates start at $100 and go upwards from there.

Advanced Usage

• "upwards of": More than; used before a number to indicate a minimum amount that is likely exceeded.
  • The project will cost upwards of a million dollars.
• "and upwards": And more; used to indicate the starting point of a range extending to higher values.
  • The store sells shirts for $50 and upwards.

Variants and Related Words

• Upward (adj): Moving, pointing, or leading to a higher position or level.
  • The company shows an upward trend in sales.
• Upward (adv): A less common variant of "upwards"; the two are often interchangeable.
  • He extended his hand palm upward.

Synonyms

• Upwardly: In an upward direction (often used in specific contexts like "upwardly mobile").
• Heavenward: Toward the sky or heaven.
• Skyward: Toward the sky.

Related Phrases

• Upward mobility: The movement of an individual or group to a higher social or economic class.
  • Education is often seen as a path to upward mobility.
• Look upwards: To direct one's gaze upward.
  • If you look upwards, you can see the top of the mountain.

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