upright

1 of 3

adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: perpendicular, vertical

b

: erect in carriage or posture

c

: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

upright freezer

2

: marked by strong moral rectitude

an upright citizen

uprightly adverb

uprightness noun

upright

2 of 3

adverb

: vertically upward : in an upright position

upright

3 of 3

noun

1

: the state of being upright : perpendicular

a pillar out of upright

2

: something that stands upright

especially : a football goalpost

—usually used in plural

3

: upright piano

Synonyms

Adjective

• all right
• decent
• ethical
• good
• honest
• honorable
• just
• moral
• nice
• right
• right-minded
• righteous
• straight
• true
• virtuous

Choose the Right Synonym for upright

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right.

upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments

scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Examples of upright in a Sentence

Adjective

Put your seat back in the upright position.

The container should be kept upright to prevent leaks.

Noun

The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There’s a large grand piano on the sand, surrounded by enormous upright sunflowers. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025

The downside of upright vacuums is often their weight and lack of portability for reaching tricky spaces, but this model offers a lift-away feature that detaches the vacuum pod. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024

Adverb

The master bedroom is situated downstairs and has enough space for a queen-sized bed, plus ample headroom to stand upright. —Adam Williams, New Atlas, 26 Dec. 2024

They were described as looking like large reptilian kangaroos with huge red eyes, able to walk standing upright. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Noun

On the other, what’s worked out at the piano, one’s cigarette scoring a groove in the lid of the upright. —E.l. Doctorow, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Penix capped a surgical drive on fourth-and-goal with a 13-yard strike in between multiple Commanders defenders to find tight end Kyle Pitts, which tied the game after the extra point went through the uprights. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upright

• sit bolt upright
• upright piano

Kids Definition

upright

1 of 2 adjective

up·​right ˈəp-ˌrīt 

1

a

: vertical entry 1 sense 2

an upright posture

b

: having the main axis or a main part perpendicular

2

: living by high moral standards : honorable

uprightness noun

upright

2 of 2 noun

1

: an upright or vertical position

2

: something upright