upstairs

1 of 3

adverb

up·​stairs ˌəp-ˈsterz How to pronounce upstairs (audio)
1
: up the stairs : on or to a higher floor
2
: to or at a high altitude or higher position
kicked upstairs to company management
3
: in the head : intellectually
a little slow upstairsTom Clancy

upstairs

2 of 3

adjective

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsterz How to pronounce upstairs (audio)
: situated above the stairs especially on an upper floor
an upstairs bedroom

upstairs

3 of 3

noun

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsterz How to pronounce upstairs (audio)
ˈəp-ˌsterz
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the part of a building above the ground floor

Examples of upstairs in a Sentence

Adverb When you go upstairs, bring these towels with you. She was on her way upstairs when she heard a car drive up. Adjective You can use the upstairs bathroom.
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.
Adverb
The coffee shop will also be open until 8 p.m., now offering seating on both sides of the space, upstairs and on the outdoor patio. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2025 Photo : David Fitzgerald One of two additional en suite bedrooms upstairs. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Apologizing in advance for the new noise, the new dog owner purchased $10 gift cards for the three upstairs neighbors and four for the ones living in the apartments below. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 Plus, apartment dwellers will love to hear (or recommend to their upstairs neighbors) that wool fabric excels in sound absorption. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
The two-level accommodation includes roomy chairs, a sitting area that doubles as a full bed, and an upstairs with a queen bed. Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 28 Mar. 2025 The venue has plans to use its upstairs as a yoga and dance studio and will offer different kinds of movement classes as time goes on, including, perhaps, a slow-motion meditation class on Sunday mornings. Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upstairs

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1782, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upstairs was in 1584

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstairs. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

upstairs

1 of 3 adverb
up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz How to pronounce upstairs (audio)
-ˈste(ə)rz
1
: up the stairs : to or on a higher floor
2
: to or at a higher position or level

upstairs

2 of 3 adjective
up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz How to pronounce upstairs (audio)
-ˈste(ə)rz
: located on an upper floor
the upstairs bedroom

upstairs

3 of 3 noun
up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz How to pronounce upstairs (audio) -ˈste(ə)rz How to pronounce upstairs (audio)
ˈəp-ˌsta(ə)rz,
-ˌste(ə)rz
: the part of a building above the ground floor

More from Merriam-Webster on upstairs

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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