upside

1 of 2

noun

up·​side ˈəp-ˌsīd How to pronounce upside (audio)
1
: an upward trend (as of prices)
2
a
: a positive aspect
b
: promise, potential
a young star with lots of upside

upside

2 of 2

preposition

up·​side ˈəp-ˈsīd How to pronounce upside (audio)
: up on or against the side of
layin' in this death cell, writin' my time upside the wallLonnie Johnson
smacked him upside the head

Examples of upside in a Sentence

Noun One upside to the new house is its location.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Ask yourself a weighty question -- do the upsides of AI possibly overturn or outweigh the downsides? Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 There is some upside to taking the subjectivity out of the CFP process. Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Preposition
He’s always hit, with his power upside the bigger question. Keith Law, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024 Bernard’s intensity, red-hot motor and likable athleticism should enable him to develop into a special teams ace under coordinator John Fassel’s tutelage. Plus, his coverage ability and adequate instincts give him upside as a defender. John Owning, Dallas News, 1 May 2020 See All Example Sentences for upside

Word History

Etymology

Noun

up entry 2 + side entry 1

Preposition

perhaps from up entry 1 + -side (as in alongside)

First Known Use

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upside was in 1927

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Cite this Entry

“Upside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upside. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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