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upkeep

upkeep

20 3.3
The work and cost to keep something in good condition
  • noun
  • /ˈʌpˌkiːp/
translation icon : mantenimiento
  • Regular servicing and maintenance are essential for the upkeep of the vehicles.
  • upkeep and maintenance
  • upkeep of facilities
  • upkeep and repair

There is no upkeep or back taxes to pay, OK.

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Examples

  • The cost of technology, its setup, and its upkeep has upset budgets over the past few years.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The upkeep of his private jet is worth more than that.

  • This is how much I spend on average per month for insurance, property tax, upkeep, all of that.

  • You know, my parents are tired of the upkeep of this place.

  • Plus the upkeep on the cars.

  • Greater financial resources should be made available for the maintenance and upkeep of sports facilities, especially at the university level.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The operating costs would, at a minimum, include monitoring, maintenance, and upkeep costs for addressing ongoing exchange issues.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Now, we're responsible for the upkeep, not just the granting of licenses.

  • The house owned by Daniel and Sylvia will be jointly held, with both parties paying an equal share of property taxes, upkeep and repairs.

  • At Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., a dog-walking club helps pay for the upkeep of the cemetery.

    Academic text (2006)

Synonyms

care
vsupkeep
1.0

Looking after something to keep it in good condition

is focused on keeping things working through regular repair and attention
maintenance
vsupkeep
350 3.6

Keeping something in good working order by checking and fixing it regularly

is about the ongoing activity of keeping things in good working order
2 2.8

Planned work to check and fix machines or equipment so they keep working

is broader, meaning general activity to keep things in good working order
scheduled maintenance
vsupkeep
  • UK
1 3.3

Work done at a planned time to keep machines working

is more about regular care and repair regardless of timing

Antonyms

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

13 5.9

A poor condition of a house or wall because no one fixed it

How Well Kept

upkeep
20 3.3
homekeeping
  • Archaic
3.9
neglect
100 3.5

Surface Forms

upkeep singular
upkeeps plural

Morphology

upkeep = keep (transparent) = up + keep

The compound is directly built from 'up' + 'keep' and corresponds to the idea of 'keeping up' or maintaining something. [Postprocessing: moved 'up' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Upkeep comes from the simple parts up and keep, which together mean 'to keep up' something so it does not fall or stop working. Think of propping a fence or regularly fixing your car to 'keep it up' — that's why upkeep means the care and repairs needed to keep things working.