uppermost

IPA/ˈʌpəməʊst/
KK[ˈʌpɚmˌost]IPA/ˈʌpərməʊst/

uppermost — adjective

  • uppermostpositive
  • more uppermostcomparative
  • most uppermostsuperlative

1. placed at the very top of something, or closer to the top than anything else aro

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

placed at the very top of something, or closer to the top than anything else around it

Example

Feng placed the fragile ornament on the uppermost shelf of the cabinet.

uppermost + shelf for physical position

The uppermost branches of the old oak snapped under the weight of snow.

Common collocations
  • uppermost shelf
  • uppermost branch
  • uppermost layer
  • uppermost floor
  • uppermost reaches
Synonyms
  • topmost

    more common for describing physical layers or levels of an object

  • highest

    more general; used for both physical height and abstract ranking

  • top

    simpler and much more common, but less precise

Antonyms
  • bottommost

    direct opposite for physical position

  • lowest

    more common opposite in everyday use

Grammar Patterns

uppermost + noun

uppermost + in/on + noun phrase

Usage Note

Distinguish from Sense 2 (MOST IMPORTANT): this sense describes physical placement only. The subject is typically a concrete object or location.

Common Mistakes

She was uppermost in her class.
She was top of her class.
Use 'top' for academic ranking; 'uppermost' in this sense describes physical position, not rank order.

2. more important than everything else in a particular situation, or at the front o

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

more important than everything else in a particular situation, or at the front of your mind above all other thoughts

Example

For Tamar, the safety of her children was uppermost in her mind.

uppermost in [someone's] mind for importance

The prime minister said that public health remained his uppermost concern.

Common collocations
  • uppermost in one's mind
  • uppermost concern
  • uppermost priority
  • uppermost thought
  • uppermost on the agenda
Synonyms
  • paramount

    more formal; often used for duties or obligations in official contexts

  • foremost

    typically describes experts or leaders in a field rather than abstract concerns

  • primary

    more common and everyday; a 'primary reason' is simply the main one, without the same urgency

  • overriding

    stronger; suggests one factor actively pushes aside all others

Antonyms
  • least

    opposite in importance or priority

  • trivial

    suggests something is not important at all, the reverse of uppermost concern

Grammar Patterns

uppermost in + possessive + mind

uppermost on + possessive + list/agenda

uppermost + concern/priority

Usage Note

Frequently followed by 'in [someone's] mind' or 'on [someone's] list/agenda'. Distinguish from Sense 1 (HIGHEST IN POSITION) when the context involves a physical object or location rather than an abstract concern.

Common Mistakes

I have the uppermost respect for her.
I have the utmost respect for her.
'Utmost' means greatest in degree; 'uppermost' means most important or highest in position.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

The adjective 'uppermost' (sense 2) describes what matters more than everything else in a specific situation. It differs from several near-synonyms in important ways. 'Paramount' is more formal and often appears in legal or official contexts — a 'paramount duty' is one that overrides all other obligations by its very nature. 'Foremost' emphasizes being first in rank or reputation and is typically used for people ('the foremost expert') rather than abstract concerns. 'Primary' is the most everyday option; a 'primary reason' is simply the main one among several, without the strong emphasis on urgency that 'uppermost' carries. 'Overriding' is stronger still — an 'overriding concern' actively pushes aside all other considerations. When safety is 'uppermost in someone's mind,' it dominates their thoughts right now; calling it 'paramount' would suggest a more permanent hierarchy of values. Compare: 'Finding a job was uppermost in her thoughts that week' (immediate, situational) versus 'The safety of passengers is paramount' (permanent, institutional).

paramount ↗foremost ↗primary ↗overriding ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • uppermost in
  • uppermost on

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed from 'upper' combined with the superlative suffix '-most.' The word traces back through Middle English 'uppermest' to Old English 'ufemest,' which was itself a double superlative — built from 'uf' (meaning 'up' or 'upon'), the comparative suffix '-ema,' and the superlative '-est.' The physical sense of 'highest in position' came first, recorded in Old English. The figurative extension to 'most important or prominent in the mind' developed by the 16th century and has been in steady use ever since.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above