upper

I UK [ˈʌpə(r)] / US [ˈʌpər] adjective [only before noun] ***

1) higher than something else, especially one of two things that are a pair

He had a scar on his upper lip.

You'll be able to see more if you sit on the upper deck of the bus.

2) near the top, or at the top, of something

There is already some snow on the upper slopes.

He's got to build up his upper-body strength.

upper limit (= the highest level or amount allowed):

There's no upper limit on the number of competitors in the race.

3) higher in status or rank

the upper ranks of the army

the upper echelons (of something) (= people of high status within an organization):

the upper echelons of the Conservative Party

4) to the north

New York's Upper East Side

5) away from the coast

the upper reaches (= parts) of the Zambezi

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- the upper hand

II UK [ˈʌpə(r)] / US [ˈʌpər] noun [countable, usually plural]
Word forms "upper":
singular upper plural uppers

1) the part of a shoe that covers the top and sides of your foot

good quality leather uppers

2) informal a drug, usually in the form of a pill, that people take to make them feel happy, excited, and lively

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- be on your uppers