upwards - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Middle English upwardes, from Old English upweardes, equivalent to up +‎ -wards. Cognate with Dutch opwaarts (“upwards”), German aufwärts (“upwards”).

upwards (not comparable)

  1. Towards a (higher) position closer to the sky than the ground.
    look upwards
    push upwards
    soar upwards
    The balloon drifted upwards into the sky.
    • 1958 April, “Diesel Railbus for British Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 275:
      The underframe also carries four bonded-rubber mountings, focused upwards and inwards towards the centre of gravity to suspend the body shell.
  2. To a higher figure or amount.
    Prices are moving steadily upwards.
  3. Towards something which is higher in order, larger, superior etc.
  4. Backwards in time, into the past.
  5. To or into later life.

to a higher position