How do you pronounce upwards?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈʌpwɚdz/.

Where does upwards come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

upwards

/ˈʌpwɚdz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.75 in modern English

Syllables: up-wards
IPA: /ˈʌpwɚdz/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Towards a (higher) position closer to the sky than the ground.

adv

To a higher figure or amount.

adv

Towards something which is higher in order, larger, superior etc.

adv

Backwards in time, into the past.

adv

To or into later life.

Example Sentences

"look upwards"
"push upwards"
"soar upwards"
"The balloon drifted upwards into the sky."
"The underframe also carries four bonded-rubber mountings, focused upwards and inwards towards the centre of gravity to suspend the body shell."
"Prices are moving steadily upwards."

Etymology

From Middle English upwardes, from Old English upweardes, equivalent to up + -wards. Cognate with Dutch opwaarts (“upwards”), German aufwärts (“upwards”).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: upwardes, upweardes
Suffix: up

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈʌpwɚdz/
British English: /ˈʌpwədz/

Phrases

bottom-upwards fail upwards onwards and upwards punch upwards upward of upwards of

Synonyms

upward up upwardly

Antonyms

downward down