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
Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
The rooms With curvaceous walls, built in fast-growing Indonesian bamboo, split-level villas with a spiral staircase that winds seashell-like between a ground-floor lounge and upstairs living quarters have the grounding feel of being wrapped in a tropical bamboo forest.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
The prosecution said Guerra arrived at Preciado’s home unarmed, and that the only gun involved was registered to Preciado’s father and hidden in their upstairs bedroom.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights, which is in Yorkshire, needed a stable, an upstairs and a kitchen.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
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Adverb
Kathrin moved out of the flat in the basement of the Velden villa to larger rooms upstairs.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
The rooms With curvaceous walls, built in fast-growing Indonesian bamboo, split-level villas with a spiral staircase that winds seashell-like between a ground-floor lounge and upstairs living quarters have the grounding feel of being wrapped in a tropical bamboo forest.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
There’s also an upstairs primary suite with dual closets and baths, as well as a separate guest wing.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
The prosecution said Guerra arrived at Preciado’s home unarmed, and that the only gun involved was registered to Preciado’s father and hidden in their upstairs bedroom.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The bottom floor features the main bedroom, with an additional two, plus an optional loft upstairs.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights, which is in Yorkshire, needed a stable, an upstairs and a kitchen.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upstairs
Cite this Entry
“Upstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upstairs. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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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