up
/ʌp/
adverb
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*upp- — up, upwards
Overview
Meaning Now
- Towards a higher position or level.
- Into a state of increased intensity, volume, or activity.
Literal older meaning
towards a higher point
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
up
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
The word traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *upo-, which is also the source of the Greek 'hypo-' (meaning under) and Latin 'sub' (meaning under). Over time, the Germanic branches specialized this root to denote direction toward the top.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*upo
“up, from below, under”
- Proto-Germanic
*upp
“upwards”
- Old English
up
“up, upwards”
- Middle English
up
“up”
- Modern English
up
“up”
Connections
Word parts
up
root
direction upward
Related across languages
German
auf
up, on
Dutch
op
up, on
Old Norse
upp
up
Explore next
Related to up
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.