Origin of upstart

1275–1325; Middle English (v.); see up-, start

OTHER WORDS FROM upstart

up·start·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for upstart

British Dictionary definitions for upstart

upstart

noun (ˈʌpˌstɑːt)

  1. a person, group, etc, that has risen suddenly to a position of power or wealth
  2. (as modifier)an upstart tyrant; an upstart family
  1. an arrogant or presumptuous person
  2. (as modifier)his upstart ambition

verb (ʌpˈstɑːt)

(intr) archaic to start up, as in surprise, etc