1. a.In or to a higher position: looking up.
b.In a direction opposite to the center of the earth or a comparablegravitational center: up from the lunar surface.
2.In or to an upright position: sat up in bed.
3. a.Above a surface: coming up for air.
b.So as to detach or unearth: pulling up weeds.
c.Above the horizon: as the sun came up.
4.Into view or existence: draw up a will.
5.Into consideration: take up a new topic.
6.In or toward a position conventionally regarded as higher, as on a scale, chart, or map: temperatures heading up; up
in Canada.
7.To or at a higher price: stocks that are going up.
8.So as to advance, increase, or improve: Our spirits went up.
9.With or to a greater intensity, pitch, or volume: turn the sound up.
10.Into a state of excitement or turbulence: stir up; rouse up.
11.Completely; entirely: drank it up in a gulp; fastened up the coat.
12.Used as an intensifier of the action of a verb: typed up a list.
13.So as to approach; near: came up and kissed me.
14.To a stop: pulled up in front of the station.
15.Each; apiece: The score was tied at 11 up.
16.Apart; into pieces: tore it up.
17.Nautical. To windward.
adj.
1.Being above a former position or level; higher: My grades are up. The pressure is up.
2. a.Out of bed: was up by seven.
b.Standing; erect.
[c.]Facing upward: two cards up, one down; the up side of a tossed coin.
3.Raised; lifted: a switch in the up position.
4.Moving or directed upward: an up elevator.
5. a.Marked by increased excitement or agitation; aroused: Our fighting spirit was up.
b.Informal. Cheerful; optimistic; upbeat.
c.Slang. Happily excited; euphoric: After receiving the award, the performer was really up.
6.Informal. Taking place; going on: wondered what was up back home.
7.Being considered; under study: a contract that is up for renewal.
8.Running as a candidate.
9.On trial; charged: The defendant is up for manslaughter.
10.Having been finished; over: Your time is up.
11.Informal.
a.Prepared; ready: had to be up for the game.
b.Well informed; abreast: not up on sports.
12.Functioning or capable of functioning normally; operational: Their computers are now up.
13.Sports. Being ahead of one’s opponent: up two strokes in golf.
14.Baseball. At bat.
15.As a bet; at stake.
16.Nautical. Bound; headed: a freighter up for Panama.
prep.
1.From a lower to or toward a higher point on: up the hill.
2.Toward or at a point farther along: two miles up the road.
3.In a direction toward the source of: up the Mississippi.
4.Nautical. Against: up the wind.
n.
1.An upward slope; a rise.
2.An upward movement or trend.
3.Slang. A feeling of excitement or euphoria.
v. upped, up·ping, ups
v. tr.
1.To increase: upped their fees; upping our output.
2.To raise to a higher level, especially to promote to a higher position.
3.Nautical. To raise: up anchor; up sail.
v. intr.
1.To get up; rise.
2.Informal. To act suddenly or unexpectedly: “She upped and perjured her immortal soul” (Margery Allingham).
Idioms:
on the up-and-up/up and up Informal
Open and honest.
up against
Confronted with; facing: up against a strong opponent.
up to
1.Occupied with, especially devising or scheming: a prowler up to no good.
2.Able to do or deal with: didn't feel up to a long drive.
3.Dependent on: The success of this project is up to us.
4. a.To the point of; as far as: I'm up to chapter 15 in my book.
b.As long as: allowed up to two hours to finish the test.
c.As many as: seed that yields up to 300 bushels per acre.