uppers

word · lemma: upper

Definition

"Uppers" can refer to the top parts of shoes, or, informally, to stimulant drugs that increase energy or alertness.

Usage & Nuances

As shoes: used in fashion, shoe repair, or manufacturing. As slang for drugs: informal, sometimes illegal, e.g., amphetamines or caffeine. Context is important; in fashion, 'uppers' is literal, in medicine/drugs, it's informal slang.

Example Sentences

The uppers of my shoes are made of leather.

basic

He repaired the uppers on my boots.

basic

Some people use uppers to stay awake at night.

basic

Can you fix the uppers or are these shoes ruined?

natural

Back in college, some students took uppers before exams.

natural

Those vintage sneakers have custom-designed uppers you can't find anywhere else.

natural