up·stairs
ˌəp-ˈsterz 
1
: up the stairs : on or to a higher floor
2
: to or at a high altitude or higher position
kicked upstairs to company management
3
: in the head : intellectually
a little slow upstairs—
Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsterz
: situated above the stairs especially on an upper floor
an upstairs bedroom
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsterz
ˈəp-ˌsterz
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the part of a building above the ground floor
Examples of upstairs in a Sentence
Adverb
When you go upstairs, bring these towels with you.
She was on her way upstairs when she heard a car drive up.
Adjective
You can use the upstairs bathroom.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
The rooms upstairs, in the nearby garden house or in the smattering of tepees on the grounds are filled with the same attention to detail and spirit of serious unseriousness.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
The Benjamin launches an upstairs cocktail sequel, and more.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 May 2025
Maddie badly lies that Reagan's upstairs and scampers away to shut herself in the bathroom.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
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Adverb
No, Owen’s upstairs playing swing ball with his tutor.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
The rooms upstairs, in the nearby garden house or in the smattering of tepees on the grounds are filled with the same attention to detail and spirit of serious unseriousness.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
Perhaps the most spectacular room is the grand upstairs ballroom.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
The Benjamin launches an upstairs cocktail sequel, and more.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Noun
Casa Grande explores the intertwining lives of Northern California farmland families at the turn of the century, with an upstairs/downstairs take on themes of class, immigration, culture and family.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 May 2025
Maddie badly lies that Reagan's upstairs and scampers away to shut herself in the bathroom.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
Cite this Entry
“Upstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstairs. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upstairs
1 of 3 adverb
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
1
: up the stairs : to or on a higher floor
2
: to or at a higher position or level
upstairs
2 of 3 adjective
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
: located on an upper floor
the upstairs bedroom
upstairs
3 of 3 noun
up·stairs
ˈəp-ˈsta(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
-ˈste(ə)rz
ˈəp-ˌsta(ə)rz,
-ˌste(ə)rz
: the part of a building above the ground floor
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