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Definition of uppity

uppity

/ˈʌp.ɪ.ti/
up · pi · ty
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uppity Lexical Profile

uppity Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Assuming airs or privileges beyond one's perceived station; self-important, arrogant, or presumptuous.

Example

"The supervisor resented any employee whom he considered too uppity to follow orders without question."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In American English, 'uppity' carries a historically offensive racial connotation, having been used to disparage Black people who asserted their rights or refused to accept a subordinate social status.

• Nearby Words

uppercut
uppermost
uppitiness
uppity
uppsala
upright
uprighteously

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 19th century in American English, formed from 'up' with the playful or colloquial suffix '-ity' (compare 'persnickety').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Uppity. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/uppity
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