upmarket
/ˌʌpˈmɑː.kɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌp.mɑːr.kɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈəp-ˈmär-kət/ (ame, mw) · /ˌʌpˈmɑːkɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌpˈmɑːrkɪt/ (ame, ipa)
upmarket — adjective
- upmarketpositive
- more upmarketcomparative
- most upmarketsuperlative
1. describing goods, services, or places that are of a high standard and cost more
describing goods, services, or places that are of a high standard and cost more than average, usually aimed at people with enough money to spend on quality.
The Wei family bought a flat in an upmarket area of London near the park.
collocation: upmarket + area/neighbourhood
Élise prefers upmarket skincare products even though they cost twice as much.
upmarket + product category
That upmarket chocolate shop sells boxes wrapped in gold paper for over a hundred dollars.
Anjali wore a simple but upmarket dress to her firm's annual dinner.
- downmarket
The direct opposite, suggesting lower quality and lower price.
- budget
Designed to be affordable, often with fewer features or lower quality.
文法句型
upmarket + noun
用法筆記
Common in British English; American English usually uses 'upscale' instead. Typically appears before a noun (attributive position), though predicative use ('That restaurant is very upmarket') is also heard.
常見錯誤
upmarket — adverb
1. toward the part of a market where goods and services cost more and are of a high
toward the part of a market where goods and services cost more and are of a higher standard, often as part of a planned business change.
The local bakery decided to move upmarket by adding artisan bread and premium cakes.
collocation: move upmarket
Obi warned that moving upmarket too quickly would lose their regular budget customers.
move upmarket + that-clause consequence
After years of selling basic furniture, the brand repositioned itself upmarket with a designer collection.
Analysts say the car maker's move upmarket helped it survive the economic downturn.
- upscale
American English equivalent; used in the same way with verbs like 'move' or 'go'.
- downmarket
The opposite direction — toward cheaper, lower-quality goods.
文法句型
move upmarket
shift upmarket
go upmarket
用法筆記
Describes a business strategy rather than a physical direction. Almost always paired with a verb such as 'move', 'shift', 'go', or 'reposition'. Can also appear in the noun phrase 'a move upmarket'.