uphill

B1 Topic:Describing Qualities

adj /ˈʌpˌhɪl/ adv /ˌʌpˈhɪl/ noun /ˈʌpˌhɪl/ See IPA manual

Freq #17312

Meanings

1

adj
sloping or leading upward

US /ˈʌpˌhɪl/ UK /ˈʌpˌhɪl/

They followed the uphill path toward the ridge.
2

adv
toward a higher place or position on a slope

US /ˌʌpˈhɪl/ UK /ˌʌpˈhɪl/

We walked uphill for another two kilometers.
3

adj
requiring sustained effort because progress is difficult

US /ˈʌpˌhɪl/ UK /ˈʌpˌhɪl/

Winning public support will be an uphill struggle.
4

noun
an upward slope or the part of a route that rises

US /ˈʌpˌhɪl/ UK /ˈʌpˌhɪl/

The final uphill was the hardest section of the race.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · sloping or leading upward ascendingrising

2 adv · toward a higher place or... upward

3 adj · requiring sustained effort... difficult arduous

4 noun · an upward slope or the part... ascent incline

Opposites

downhill easy

Word family

Related forms hill upward ascent incline

Appears in

Idioms (1)

See all

uphill battle
a struggle that requires enormous effort against strong opposition

Etymology

A compound of up + hill. The literal directional and sloping senses developed a figurative use for difficult tasks that demand continued effort.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

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