Upon: meaning, definitions and examples

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upon

 

[ əˈpɒn ]

Preposition / Adverb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Preposition

in the context of time or event

Used to indicate a time or event at which something happens.

Synonyms

after, on, when

Examples of usage

  • Upon arriving at the party, she realized she had forgotten her gift.
  • Upon hearing the news, he immediately called his family.
Context #2 | Preposition

in the context of being supported by something

Supported by or resting at a particular point.

Synonyms

atop, on, resting on

Examples of usage

  • The vase fell and shattered upon the floor.
  • The decision will be made upon the advice of the experts.
Context #3 | Adverb

in the context of immediacy or emphasis

Immediately after something happened.

Synonyms

directly, immediately, instantly

Examples of usage

  • She burst into tears upon hearing the news.
  • Upon seeing the results, he knew he had made a mistake.

Translations

Translations of the word "upon" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sobre

🇮🇳 पर

🇩🇪 auf

🇮🇩 di atas

🇺🇦 на

🇵🇱 na

🇯🇵 の上に

🇫🇷 sur

🇪🇸 sobre

🇹🇷 üzerine

🇰🇷 위에

🇸🇦 على

🇨🇿 na

🇸🇰 na

🇨🇳 在...之上

🇸🇮 na

🇮🇸 á

🇰🇿 үстінде

🇬🇪 ზედა

🇦🇿 üzərində

🇲🇽 sobre

Etymology

The word 'upon' originated from Middle English 'uppon', which is a combination of 'up' and 'on'. Its usage can be traced back to the 12th century in English literature. Over time, 'upon' has become a common preposition used in various contexts, indicating time, location, support, or immediacy. It is widely used in both formal and informal language, adding a sense of elegance or formality to the sentence.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #66, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.