upside

1 of 2

noun

up·​side ˈəp-ˌsīd 

1

: an upward trend (as of prices)

2

a

: a positive aspect

b

: promise, potential

a young star with lots of upside

upside

2 of 2

preposition

up·​side ˈəp-ˈsīd 

: up on or against the side of

layin' in this death cell, writin' my time upside the wall

—Lonnie Johnson

smacked him upside the head

Examples of upside in a Sentence

Noun

One upside to the new house is its location.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The upside was the company went back to being just Chrysler. —Ed Garsten, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Popular on Variety With a network of partners across the globe, the upside is also exponential in terms of sharing know-how and exchanging ideas. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 3 Dec. 2024

Preposition

Bernard’s intensity, red-hot motor and likable athleticism should enable him to develop into a special teams ace under coordinator John Fassel’s tutelage. Plus, his coverage ability and adequate instincts give him upside as a defender. —John Owning, Dallas News, 1 May 2020

Would the occasional smack upside the head improve the situation? —David Roberts, Vox, 3 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun

up entry 2 + side entry 1

Preposition

perhaps from up entry 1 + -side (as in alongside)

First Known Use

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1929, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing upside

• on the upside
• turn (something) upside down
• upside down
• upside-down cake
• upside the head