upright

To be upright means to be honest and morally good, with strong principles. It also literally describes something standing straight up. A tall tree is upright, but a fallen log is not. Think of a person who always tries to do the right thing: they may be described as upright.

The word suggests both physical and moral straightness. "Upright posture" means you are standing or sitting with your back straight, while "upright character" means someone is honest and trustworthy. You might admire a person for upright behavior, especially when others around them are not acting fairly.

The word "upright" has two main meanings, one physical and one moral. In the physical sense, it describes something standing straight up. You can use it for a tree, a chair, a bottle, or a person standing with a straight back. "The tree remained upright despite the strong winds." This meaning also appears in the phrase "upright piano," a piano built in a tall vertical shape.

It is also often used to describe a person's character. In that sense, it means honest, decent, and guided by strong moral principles. An upright person can be trusted and tries to do what is right, even when that is hard. "She was known throughout the town for her upright nature."

The idea behind the word is straightness in both body and behavior. A person with upright posture stands straight. A person with an upright character lives in a fair and honest way. Because of this, the word can fit both everyday physical descriptions and more serious talk about values. Whether you are describing something that has not fallen over or a person who acts with integrity, "upright" suggests steadiness, honesty, and moral strength.