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upper

adj. · n.
US //ˈəpɝ// UK //ˈʌpɐ// up·per
  1. 1 higher position (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    located in a higher place or at a higher level.

    situated in a higher physical position or at a superior level relative to something else.

    Example

    The bedrooms are on the upper floor of the house.

    Example

    The upper branches of the oak tree were the first to catch the golden light of the rising sun.
  2. 2 higher rank (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a higher rank or status in a group or company.

    denoting a higher rank, status, or position within a social or professional hierarchy.

    Example

    She was promoted to an upper management position last month.

    Example

    Decisions regarding the merger were restricted to upper management to prevent leaks to the press.
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  1. 3 geography/inland (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    describing a part of a river or land that is further from the sea or further north.

    referring to a region that is further inland, at a higher elevation, or more northerly within a specific territory.

    Example

    They spent their holiday exploring the upper reaches of the Amazon river.

    Example

    The upper valley remains sparsely populated due to the harsh winters and difficult terrain.
  2. 4 geology/history (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Academic Science

    describing a more recent period of time in the Earth's history.

    designating a later or more recent division of a geological period or archaeological stage.

    Example

    Scientists found new fossils from the Upper Cretaceous period.

    Example

    The Upper Palaeolithic saw a significant increase in the complexity of stone tool technology and artistic expression.
  3. 5 part of a shoe (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the top part of a shoe that covers the foot.

    the part of a shoe or boot above the sole.

    Example

    The leather uppers of these boots are very soft and comfortable.

    Example

    The cobbler explained that while the soles were worn out, the suede uppers were still in excellent condition.
  4. 6 stimulant drug (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang Medicine

    a drug that makes you feel very energetic and awake.

    a stimulant drug, such as an amphetamine, that increases physiological or nervous activity.

    Example

    He started taking uppers to stay awake during the long night shifts.

    Example

    The patient admitted to a history of using uppers to cope with the demanding schedule of the music industry.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a common slang term; in formal or medical contexts, use 'stimulant'.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *upó Proto-Germanic *ub Proto-Germanic *upp Proto-West Germanic *upp Old English upp Middle English up Proto-Indo-European *-yōs Proto-Germanic *-izô Proto-West Germanic *-iʀō Proto-Germanic *-ōzô Proto-West Germanic *-ōʀō Old English -ra Middle English -er Middle English upper English upper Inherited from Middle English upper. By surface analysis, up + -er.

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