upstairs

1 of 3

adverb

up·​stairs ˌəp-ˈsterz 

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 upstairs

—Tom Clancy

upstairs

2 of 3

adjective

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsterz 

: situated above the stairs especially on an upper floor

an upstairs bedroom

upstairs

3 of 3

noun

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsterz 

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

Adverb

The bodies of Bu and her daughters were discovered upstairs in the home, while Dae and Boe were found downstairs, according to police. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Trinity still needs to raise about $1 million before the congregation can permanently return upstairs and an additional $4 million to return to its pre-fire state. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Partners Ben Hundreds, Jared Meisler and Kate Burr know how to bring in a fun crowd that’s ready to have a good time, and Meisler’s sultry Moon Room is upstairs for any of your nightcap needs. —Andy Wang, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Fortunately, they were not hurt, nor were Andretta’s two brothers who were upstairs. —John Johnston, The Enquirer, 5 Dec. 2024

Noun

The Cosmos' upstairs is reached by a staircase that's integrated into the kitchen unit. —New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024

Jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars was locked in a safe upstairs. —CBS News, 27 June 2024

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

Phrases Containing upstairs

• kick upstairs
• man upstairs
• the man upstairs
• the upstairs

Kids Definition

upstairs

1 of 3 adverb

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz 

-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 

-ˈste(ə)rz

: located on an upper floor

the upstairs bedroom

upstairs

3 of 3 noun

up·​stairs ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz  -ˈste(ə)rz 

ˈəp-ˌsta(ə)rz,

-ˌste(ə)rz

: the part of a building above the ground floor