upwards of

IPA/ˈʌp.wədz ˌəv/
IPA/ˈʌp.wɚdz ˌəv/

upwards of — 介系詞

1. used before a number or amount to indicate that the actual figure is at least th

1.介系詞B2
釋義

至少以上

不低於該數字，且很可能更高

used before a number or amount to indicate that the actual figure is at least that high and most likely higher — the phrase communicates both a minimum floor and the certainty that the true value goes beyond it, without specifying an exact total

例句

Upwards of two hundred guests attended the wedding at the Grand Hotel.

至少兩百位賓客出席了在大飯店舉辦的婚禮。

upwards of + [number] for a minimum estimate

Professor Okafor has spent upwards of forty years teaching at this university.

Okafor 教授在同一所大學任教已不下四十年。

upwards of + [time period]

同義詞
  • at least

    more direct and neutral; 'upwards of' adds a stronger suggestion that the true number is higher

  • more than

    plainer and more neutral; 'upwards of' sounds slightly more dramatic and is common in estimates

  • in excess of

    more formal; common in legal, financial, and technical writing

反義詞
  • no more than

    indicates a ceiling rather than a floor

  • at most

    emphasizes the upper limit rather than the lower bound

文法句型

upwards of + [amount/number]

用法筆記

Used for rough estimates where the speaker is confident about the minimum but uncertain about the actual total — it strongly suggests the true figure is higher, not just barely meeting the threshold. Avoid pairing it with an exact, confirmed number.

常見錯誤

❌The book costs upwards of 500 dollars, exactly 510 dollars.
✅The book costs upwards of 500 dollars.
💡The phrase is for rough minimums, not exact confirmed figures.
❌She earns upwards of $50,000, which matches her contract.
✅She earns upwards of $50,000, meaning her income is probably higher.
💡Do not use 'upwards of' with a precise, verified amount.