/ Dictionary / Index U upstart: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: up•start Pronunciation: (n., adj.up'stärt"v.up&sylpstärt'), [key] — n. a person who has risen suddenly from a humble position to wealth, power, or a position of consequence. a presumptuous and objectionable person who has so risen; parvenu. —adj. being, resembling, or characteristic of an upstart. —v.i. to spring into existence or into view. to start up; spring up, as to one's feet. —v.t. to cause to start up. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: upstart (Thesaurus) upstanding upstate Related Content Daily Word Quiz: inutiae Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language