upbeat

1 of 2

noun

up·​beat ˈəp-ˌbēt 

1

: an unaccented beat or portion of a beat in a musical measure

specifically : the last beat of the measure

2

: an increase in activity or prosperity

business that is on the upbeat

upbeat

2 of 2

adjective

: cheerful, optimistic

I'm feeling upbeat today

Synonyms

Adjective

• blithe
• blithesome
• bright
• buoyant
• canty [British dialect]
• cheerful
• cheery
• chipper
• eupeptic
• gay
• gladsome
• lightsome
• sunny
• winsome

Examples of upbeat in a Sentence

Adjective

I like a story with an upbeat ending.

I tried to stay upbeat about losing the election.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That track, which is now more than 20 years old, supplies the chorus of the new upbeat, dance-pop tune, and it’s worked well enough to entice a large audience to purchase the cut. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Despite the upbeat, fighting talk, the talk session rounded off with a succession of audience questions which variously asked how Hong Kong martial arts could be saved, promoted or taught. Hung, returning to his habitual ebullient mode, had no doubt. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Isn’t there anything upbeat to say about this emerging means of using generative AI? —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Despite the cautious outlook, Fed Chair Jerome Powell sounded an upbeat note on the state of the U.S. economy, especially relative to how other countries have performed. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1947, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

upbeat

1 of 2 noun

up·​beat ˈəp-ˌbēt 

: an unaccented beat in a musical measure

especially : the last beat of the measure

upbeat

2 of 2 adjective

: optimistic, cheerful

an upbeat story