Upbeat
/ˈʌpbiːt/
Definitions
2 meaningsCheerful and optimistic; characterized by a positive outlook.
/ˈʌpbiːt/
Cheerful and optimistic
Despite the bad news, he remained upbeat.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend got a new puppy! They're so happy and excited; they're feeling upbeat! It means feeling happy and positive, like when something good happens.
👶 For kids: Happy and excited!
More Examples
The team was upbeat after their victory.
She has an upbeat personality and always looks on the bright side.
How It's Used
"She had an upbeat attitude despite the challenges."
"The CEO gave an upbeat assessment of the company's performance."
The unaccented beat of a measure in music; also used metaphorically to refer to something that is lively or energetic.
/ˈʌpbiːt/
The unstressed beat in music.
The song's tempo picks up right after the upbeat.
💡 Simply: In music, the upbeat is the part of the beat that's not the strongest - like the 'and' in 'one *and* two and three and...'
👶 For kids: The soft part of the beat in music.
More Examples
The band started playing on the upbeat.
The composer used the upbeat to create a sense of anticipation.
How It's Used
"The chorus begins on the upbeat."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
on the upbeat
In a positive or optimistic mood.
"Despite the problems, he remains on the upbeat."
Derived from the musical term 'upbeat,' referring to the unstressed part of a musical measure, and extending figuratively to denote a positive or optimistic mood.
The musical sense of 'upbeat' predates the figurative sense. The application to mood and personality began to emerge in the early 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of the 'up' in upbeat – always looking upwards, towards the positive.