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
Leah invites Kristina to come upstairs with her for the moment. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 23 May 2025 Shortly after, the xylophone chimes alerted the room to head for the industrial elevators and upstairs to where dinner, toasts — and a surprise TLC performance — awaited. Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 21 May 2025
Adjective
Other highlights include an upstairs primary bedroom sporting dual walk-in closets and a bath outfitted with a double console sink, a spa tub, and a separate shower. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 May 2025 The male suspect then fired multiple rounds through the floor of an upstairs bedroom, police said. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
Casa Grande explores the intertwining lives of Northern California farmland families at the turn of the century, with an upstairs/downstairs take on themes of class, immigration, culture and family. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 May 2025 Maddie badly lies that Reagan's upstairs and scampers away to shut herself in the bathroom. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 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 5 Jun. 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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