upright

1 of 3

adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: perpendicular, vertical

b

: erect in carriage or posture

c

: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

upright freezer

2

: marked by strong moral rectitude

an upright citizen

uprightly adverb

uprightness noun

upright

2 of 3

adverb

: vertically upward : in an upright position

upright

3 of 3

noun

1

: the state of being upright : perpendicular

a pillar out of upright

2

: something that stands upright

especially : a football goalpost

—usually used in plural

3

: upright piano

Synonyms

Adjective

• all right
• decent
• ethical
• good
• honest
• honorable
• just
• moral
• nice
• right
• right-minded
• righteous
• straight
• true
• virtuous

Choose the Right Synonym for upright

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right.

upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments

scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Examples of upright in a Sentence

Adjective

Put your seat back in the upright position.

The container should be kept upright to prevent leaks.

Noun

The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The gyroscope steadies the wearer’s hand by countering the motion, like a spinning top trying to keep upright. —Chris Stokel-Walker, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

The dual zipper design opens up the main compartment that is outfitted with additional elastic straps and pockets to hold bottles upright. —Teddy Minford, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2024

Adverb

North West Rocks Out in Tyler, the Creator and H.E.R. Halloween Costumes Complete with Props and Wigs The first couple of photos were professional shots of Kardashian posing — standing upright in a silhouette hugging all-white second skin. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

The center compartment will easily keep your skincare essentials standing upright and well-organized. $60 at Monos The Telena toiletry bag is made of a durable, waterproof polyurethane leather. —Teddy Minford, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2024

Noun

Titan also offers a wide range of attachments that fit its 2x2 uprights—a.k.a. squat rack posts that are 2 inches wide by 2 inches deep. —Erin Bunch, SELF, 28 Oct. 2024

Keep your torso upright and aligned with your hips. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upright

• sit bolt upright
• upright piano

Kids Definition

upright

1 of 2 adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: vertical entry 1 sense 2

an upright posture

b

: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

2

: living by high moral standards : honorable

uprightness noun

upright

2 of 2 noun

1

: an upright or vertical position

2

: something upright