How to pronounce upward
Say it like UHP-werd. Upward has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce upward. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHP
- werd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Upward pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- UHPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- werdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of upward
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UHP-wud.
What does upward mean?
- directed up“the cards were face upward”“an upward stroke of the pen”
- extending or moving toward a higher place“the up staircase”“a general upward movement of fish”
- spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position“look up!”“the music surged up”
- to a later time“they moved the meeting date up”“from childhood upward”
Where does upward come from?
From Old English upweardes, equivalent to up + -ward.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying upward
How do you pronounce upward?
Say UHP-werd. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌpwɚd/. In British English it is /ˈʌpwəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in upward?
Upward has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHP). Broken into parts: UHP · werd.
Is upward pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈʌpwəd/ (UHP-wud).