one-up

1 of 2

verb

ˌwən-ˈəp How to pronounce one-up (audio)
ˈwən-
one-upped; one-upping; one-ups

transitive verb

: to practice one-upmanship on

one up

2 of 2

adjective

: being in a position of advantage
usually used with on

Examples of one-up in a Sentence

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.
Verb
Both Jelly Roll and Bryan seemed humbled after watching these aspiring stars one-up them with their own songs. Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 In an effort to impress her daughter — and one-up her daughter’s nanny — Davis decided to jump. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 One Uppers When a group of college friends gets together for the first time in years, their old habit of trying to one-up each other reemerges. Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 But this device arriving potentially at the end of this year is a big deal, and is a one-up on Sony who well, does not have a portable PlayStation device. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for one-up

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from one-upmanship

First Known Use

Verb

1963, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-up was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“One-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-up. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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