# upwards

> English word · Adverb · IPA /ˈʌpwədz/ · frequency rank #10,472

## Definitions
1. Towards a (higher) position closer to the sky than the ground.
2. To a higher figure or amount.
3. Towards something which is higher in order, larger, superior etc.
4. Backwards in time, into the past.
5. To or into later life.

## Etymology
From Middle English upwardes, from Old English upweardes, equivalent to up + -wards. Cognate with Dutch opwaarts (“upwards”), German aufwärts (“upwards”).

## Easily confused with
- **upward** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/upward-vs-upwards)
- **upwardly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/upwardly-vs-upwards)

## Common misspellings (11)
`puwards`, `upawrds`, `uppwards`, `upwadrs`, `upwardds`, `upwardss`, `upwarrds`, `upwarsd`, `upwrads`, `upwwards`, `uwpards`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/upwards