ENGLISH
REFERENCE

upstairs

adv. · adj. · n.
US //əpˈstɛɹz// up·stairs
  1. 1 to or on a higher floor (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    to a higher floor of a building, or on a level above where you are now.

    to or on a higher floor or level of a building; functions as an adverb of place.

    Example

    I forgot my phone, so I have to run upstairs to get it.

    Example

    The children were playing loudly upstairs while the adults tried to have a quiet conversation in the dining room.

    Usage

    Typically follows the verb of motion or the verb 'to be'.
  2. 2 located on a higher floor (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    describes a room or area that is on a higher level of a house.

    situated on an upper floor or level of a building.

    Example

    The upstairs bathroom is being painted this week.

    Example

    The upstairs windows offer a much better view of the garden than the ones on the ground floor.

    Usage

    Always placed before the noun it modifies.
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  1. 3 the upper floor (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the entire top part or upper floor of a building.

    the upper storey or level of a building considered as a single unit.

    Example

    The whole upstairs was flooded after the pipe burst.

    Example

    The architect designed the upstairs to be an open-plan studio, maximizing the natural light from the skylights.
    • upper floor
    • top storey
  2. 4 in the mind (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Humorous

    inside your head or your mind; often used to talk about how smart someone is.

    referring to the brain, mind, or intellectual capacity.

    Example

    He is a bit slow, but he has a lot going on upstairs.

    Example

    The professor might look disorganized, but she is incredibly sharp upstairs.

    Teacher's tip

    Often used in the phrase 'nothing upstairs' to suggest someone is not very intelligent.
Origin

From up- + stair + -s.

Idioms1 entry

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