upstairs
pronunciation
How to pronounce upstairs in British English:
UK [ˌʌpˈsteəz]
How to pronounce upstairs in American English:
US [ˌʌpˈsterz]
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- Adjective:
- on or of upper floors of a building
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- Adverb:
- on a floor above
- with respect to the mind
Word Origin
- upstairs (adv.)
- 1590s, from up (adv.) + stairs (see stair). As an adjective from 1782. The noun is first attested 1872. Adjectival meaning "characteristic of upstairs life" (in private rooms of a household, as opposed to servants' quarters) is recorded from 1942. He [Halifax] had said he had known many kicked down stairs, but he never knew any kicked up stairs before. [Gilbert Burnet, supplement to "History of My own Time," from his original memoirs, c. 1697]
Antonym
Example
- 1. We went to her warm , comfortable room upstairs .
- 2. His studio was a smallish upstairs bedroom ; it didn 't even have an easel .
- 3. Marla leapt upstairs to her sister 's room .
- 4. He called upstairs in a normal voice .
- 5. Fern was upstairs changing her sneakers .