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Added 9 October 2026

upright

/ˈʌpɹaɪt/ adjective

In Latin: ērectus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about upright at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Vertical; erect.
In its proper orientation; not overturned.
My brother didn't get angry when his son knocked over the lamp; he simply called the boy over and helped him set it upright again.
Greater in height than breadth.

adverb

In or into an upright position.
I was standing upright, waiting for my orders.
On one's feet (as opposed to in a wheelchair).
Amputee hockey is played upright.

noun

Any vertical part of a structure, especially a part that provides support. A goal post. The poles of a field goal post. A leg. A tentpole that holds aloft the center or sides of a tent.
A goal post.
The poles of a field goal post.

verb

To set upright or stand back up (something that has fallen).

Origin

From Middle English upright, uppryght, upriht, from Old English upriht (“upright; erect”), from Proto-Germanic *upprehtaz, equivalent to up- + right. Cognate with Saterland Frisian apgjucht (“upright”), West Frisian oprjocht (“upright”), Dutch oprecht (“upright”), German Low German uprecht (“upright”), German aufrecht (“upright”), Swedish upprätt (“upright”), Icelandic uppréttur (“upright”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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