WordGarden.ioupon
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /əpˈɒn/
US
- /əˈpɑn/
Meanings
Preposition
on top of or in contact with a surface or thing
immediately after or at the time of an event
on the basis of, depending on, or directed toward
Beyond the definition
The little bird landed upon the branch, meaning it settled on top of it. But "upon" is not only about place. It is also often used to show that one thing happens right after another, such as receiving a gift upon your arrival. It can also mean "depending on," as in a choice based upon careful research. In more formal or literary English, it can also mean "about," especially after verbs like reflect or meditate. Think of it as a more formal way to say "on" in many cases, often adding a sense of importance or care to the sentence.
Imagine a knight in shining armor kneeling upon one knee—a gesture of respect and fealty. That's the essence of "upon." It is a versatile word that, at its heart, means "on" or "onto," but it carries nuances of time, dependence, and gravity that the simple word "on" sometimes lacks.
Historically, "upon" was a very common form related to "on." While "on" has become the standard choice in everyday speech, "upon" still carries a literary feel and remains common in formal writing. You will often find it in legal contexts ("dependent upon the terms of the contract") or in the timeless opening of fairy tales ("Once upon a time").
One of its most practical uses is temporal—marking an event that occurs immediately after another. For instance, "Upon hearing the news, she burst into tears." In this sense, it often works like "as soon as." It can also express dependence: the success of a mission might rest upon a single choice. In more literary or formal use, it may point to a topic of thought, as when someone reflects upon the past or meditates upon the nature of reality.
Think of "upon" as adding weight and thoughtfulness to your prose. It suggests not just location, but also reliance and sequence. Whether you are casting a gaze upon a beautiful landscape or acting upon a sudden impulse, this small word provides a touch of old-world charm and precision to the English language.
Examples
- 1
Arrival
Upon arrival, please check in at the front desk.
- Phraseupon arrival
when you arrive
- 2
Immediate reaction
The crowd cheered upon hearing the news.
- Patternupon + -ing verb
as soon as someone does it
- 3
Payment
Payment is due upon receipt of the invoice.
- Patternupon receipt of + document
when you receive it
- 4
Formal dependence
Children depend upon their parents for many things.
- Usage
depend upon is a more formal way to say depend on
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Formal decision
The board agreed upon a new plan after a long meeting.
- Usageagree upon
choose or decide together, often in formal English
- 6
Formal request
She was called upon to speak at the ceremony.
- Patterncall upon someone to do something
formally ask someone to do it
- 7
Personal judgment
I’ve always looked upon him as a trusted friend.
- Patternlook upon someone as + role/description
consider someone to be that
- 8
Story opening
Once upon a time, a fox lived in a dark forest.
- Phraseonce upon a time
a traditional way to begin a story
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- uponpreposition