Uptown

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈʌptaʊn/

Definitions

1. Referring to an area of a city that is positioned north or away from the central district, typically characterized by a higher socioeconomic status or residential nature
2. Describing a neighborhood or area situated in the northern part of a city, often associated with affluence or residential living
3. A city area usually found beyond the central business district, often marked by wealth and housing rather than commercial activity

Etymology: Originally "uptown" was a matter of direction, not wealth. It is simply "up" plus "town," meaning toward the upper part of a town, and in New York it described travel northward up Manhattan, away from the commercial bustle at the southern tip. The adverb sense, "toward the upper part of town," came first, and the noun and adjective uses grew out of it. Over time the direction took on a social meaning. As the wealthier and more fashionable residential districts spread north, "uptown" came to signal the affluent neighborhoods rather than just a location on the map. Its partner "downtown" followed the same pattern, though the two words came to carry different associations depending on the city.

Synonyms: northern, suburban

Antonyms: downtown