# broughtupsy

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/broughtupsy
Updated: 2026-08-14

## Definition

a humorous and old-fashioned word for a person's upbringing or manners. It describes the way you were taught to behave as a child.

For teachers: a person's upbringing or manners. This is a rare, informal, and somewhat humorous noun derived from the phrasal verb 'to bring up'.

## Examples

- His poor broughtupsy is obvious to everyone.
- Some people think that not holding a door open for others shows a lack of proper broughtupsy.
- The old-fashioned headmistress lamented what she saw as a general decline in the nation's broughtupsy, citing a lack of respect for elders.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.