Words / A2

UPR-yt/ˈʌpraɪt/

Upright means straight up, not lying down or leaning: sit upright, keep it upright, an upright piano. Vertical is a close cousin. Horizontal is lying flat. Right as in correct is a different word. Do not write upright when you mean uptight (tense — later), or upper.

Meaning

Straight up, not lying down or leaning.

Examples

• “Keep the bottles upright in the box.”
• “Store the bottles upright so they do not leak.”
• “Sit upright at the desk to help your back.”

Good to know

keep it upright / sit upright. Cousin: vertical. Flat contrast: horizontal. Mix-up: uptight.

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