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upper

upper

1 7.0
The higher of two sleeping bunks on a train or ship
  • noun
  • /ˈʌpər/
translation icon : litera superior
  • You want eight uppers, eight lowers and a compartment, right?

Examples

  • On the 2nd floor landing, the Ripper sees the door to the lower balcony and the stairs to the upper.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • You take the upper, I'll take the lower.

  • "The motion carries in the lower house," I say, "and moves to the upper."

    Fiction book (1998)
  • He can have the upper.

  • Bump the 14:14 to the upper on 16:10.

  • Our PIC was begging all the staff to give good numbers so the uppers wouldn't come down on us for bad assessments.

    Blog text (13)
  • The soles were quite thick, made of several layers of hardened leather attached to the uppers by hobnails.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • I prefer the upper bunk because it gives me a better view of the scenery outside.

  • Travelers often choose the upper berth on trains for a more comfortable sleeping experience.

  • The cabin had two sleeping spots, and my friend claimed the upper one while I took the lower.

Synonyms

upper berth
vsupper
1 6.8

A higher bed on a train or ship

has identical meaning but is the shorter form used alone

Antonyms

14 7.7

The bottom sleeping place in a train or ship compartment

Idioms

Ability to stay calm and not show feelings in hard times

To keep an advantage or control over others

Compounds

upper hand
  • Informal
54 3.2

A position giving power or advantage over someone in a situation

Having higher than average income, education, and social position among the middle class

15 3.4

A social group with the most money and power

11 4.3

Belonging to the richest and most powerful people in society

fixer-upper
  • Informal
11 4.5

A house or other home that needs repairs and is sold for a low price

9 3.4

A higher level on a ship or in a stadium where people sit

7 3.2

The highest allowed amount or value of something

upper crust
  • Informal
5 6.8

A small group of the richest and most important people in society

4 4.6

A part of an organization that is at a higher position

upper bound
  • Specialized
3 7.2

A number that is as big as or bigger than every number in a set

3 3.3

A sickness that affects the nose, throat, or sinuses

2 2.8

The top part of the jaw that holds the upper teeth

The peninsula in the northwestern part of Michigan between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan

The top side of an object that you can touch or see

Upper Paleolithic
  • Specialized
1 9.8

The late part of the Stone Age when only modern humans lived, ending about 10,000 BC

picker-upper
  • Informal
1 6.6

Something that makes you feel happier and more energetic

The highest seats in a theatre, far from the stage

1 6.8

A higher bed on a train or ship

1 4.4

The southern part of Egypt from south of Cairo to the Sudan border

The bone at the top of the mouth that holds the upper teeth and joins the skull

1 4.1

The part of the breathing system that includes the nose, throat, and windpipe

A large letter that begins names and sentences

filler-upper
  • Informal
8.4

A person who gives more drinks or a quick snack that makes you less hungry for a short time

maker-upper
  • Offensive
9.7

A person who tells lies to trick or amuse people

A river in central England flowing through Stratford-on-Avon to join the River Severn

A river in central England that flows through Stratford-on-Avon and joins the River Severn

upper cannon
  • Archaic
9.9

A piece of metal armor that covers the upper arm above the elbow

Upper Carboniferous
  • Specialized
9.9

A late part of Earth's history 310 to 280 million years ago with swamp forests that formed coal

9.9

A time about 310 to 280 million years ago with warm swampy land where much coal formed

upper mantle
  • Specialized
6.7

A layer of rock under Earth's crust that slowly flows

The top surface of an object that faces up

A former administrative region in northern France covering the northeast of Normandy

A peninsula between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan with forests, lakes, and small towns

A person or family in the higher part of the lower social class

7.0

A person who washes dishes after a meal

How High

upper
1 7.0
lower berth
1 5.5

Surface Forms

upper singular
uppers plural

Morphology

upper = upper (transparent) = up + er

The adjective 'upper' is a regular transparent formation from 'up' + '-er', and the noun is formed by conversion from that adjective.

Etymology

Upper comes from the old English word up meaning 'above'. On trains and ships, the upper is the sleeping berth that is higher than the other one, so the name tells you it is the bed up above.