upside down

adverb

up·​side down ˈəp-ˌsīd-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce upside down (audio)
Synonyms of upside downnext
1
: in such a way that the upper and the lower parts are reversed in position
2
: in or into great disorder
turned their world upside down
upside-down
ˈəp-ˌsīd-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce upside down (audio)
adjective

Examples of upside down in a Sentence

You hung the picture upside down! To remove the plant, turn the pot upside down and tap gently on the bottom to loosen it. The baby was holding the book upside down.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Well, except for the whole going upside down part. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 The Roberts Court has been turning anti-discrimination law upside down for years. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 Holzinger hung upside down inside a great bronze bell recovered from the Venetian lagoon and suspended above the pavilion. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026 As opposed to the first film, where a good girl falls for a bad boy, the sequel turns the concept upside down, with Pfeiffer playing the bad girl who falls for a good boy. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for upside down

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English up so doun, from up + so + doun down

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upside down was in the 15th century

Rhymes for upside down

See All Rhymes for upside down

Browse Nearby Words

upside
upside down
upside-down cake
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upside down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upside%20down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

upside down

adverb
up·​side down ˌəp-ˌsīd-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce upside down (audio)
1
: with the upper part underneath and the lower part on top
2
: in or into great disorder
upside-down adjective

Legal Definition

upside down

adjective
: underwater
upside down mortgages
upside down homes
upside down homeowners

More from Merriam-Webster on upside down

Nglish: Translation of upside down for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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