Uppity
adjective
Someone behaving in a way that is more confident or has higher status than is expected, often in a way that is seen as rude.
The manager didn't like some of the uppity workers in her department.
Often appears as...
- uppity attitude
- uppity behavior
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Someone behaving in a way that is more confident or has higher status than is expected, often in a way that is seen as rude.
The manager didn't like some of the uppity workers in her department.
Often appears as...
- uppity attitude
- uppity behavior
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often used to criticize someone seen as disrespectfully overstepping their social rank or position.
She was accused of being uppity for challenging her boss's decision.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Can be seen as racially charged or sexist when used to describe certain groups historically marginalized.
Calling a young female executive uppity can carry sexist undertones.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Usage
More common in casual speech; might be too informal or offensive in professional contexts.
He casually referred to the newcomer as uppity, which did not sit well with others.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often used to criticize someone seen as disrespectfully overstepping their social rank or position.
She was accused of being uppity for challenging her boss's decision.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Can be seen as racially charged or sexist when used to describe certain groups historically marginalized.
Calling a young female executive uppity can carry sexist undertones.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Usage
More common in casual speech; might be too informal or offensive in professional contexts.
He casually referred to the newcomer as uppity, which did not sit well with others.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often used to criticize someone seen as disrespectfully overstepping their social rank or position.
She was accused of being uppity for challenging her boss's decision.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Can be seen as racially charged or sexist when used to describe certain groups historically marginalized.
Calling a young female executive uppity can carry sexist undertones.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Usage
More common in casual speech; might be too informal or offensive in professional contexts.
He casually referred to the newcomer as uppity, which did not sit well with others.
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Video examples
Birth of the Vibrator PIPE...
plagued Victorian era women any woman who was experiencing stress any woman frankly who was violating Victorian gender norms who was too uppity who was too confident who was dissatisfied with
Video examples
Birth of the Vibrator PIPE...
plagued Victorian era women any woman who was experiencing stress any woman frankly who was violating Victorian gender norms who was too uppity who was too confident who was dissatisfied with
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Brian Eno
British Musician
The English don't like concepts, really, not from a pop star. It's alright if they come from an 'intellectual,', but from a pop star you're getting ahead of yourself. Part of the class game is that you shouldn't rise above your station, and to start talking about concepts if you're in the pop world is getting a bit uppity, isn't it?
Quote examples
Adrienne Bailon
American Musician
If you decide you want to change your life around, it doesn't matter where you came from, what you did, if you were incarcerated or you are from the projects, if you are an uppity kid who came from a really wealthy family - and all of them do drugs and are into that life - it doesn't matter; come as you are, and God does his work.
Quote examples
Sarah Cooper
Jamaican Comedian
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just 'thinking out loud,' 'throwing something out there,' or sharing something 'dumb,' 'random,' or 'crazy.
Quote examples
Paula Deen
American Chef
The thought of eating rabbit and squirrels doesn't appeal to me. And that was on our table quite often as a kid. In your uppity restaurants, they serve a lot of rabbit. But I just can't help but think of Peter. And deer, I can't go there, because of Bambi.
Quote examples
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
British Royalty
I have so many friends who, if I ever even vaguely look like getting uppity, which touch wood I never have, they would just say, 'Look, come on, pull yourself together! Don't be so bloody grand!
Quote examples
Eric McCormack
Canadian Actor
I always get a little uppity when I hear the phrase 'TV actor.' It's like saying you're a magazine reporter. I was in the theater for ten years before I ever had a TV audition.
Quote examples
Adrienne Mayor
American Historian
We are used to thinking of Amazon myths in terms of violence against uppity women, but the ancient evidence also reveals a vision of gender equality.
Quote examples
Fabolous
American Rapper
That's the kind of lane that I try to keep my fashion usually in - not too uppity, not too out of the norm, but little touches that make it special.
Quote examples
Clifford Stoll
American Author
The Internet is a telephone system that's gotten uppity.
Quote examples
Brian Eno
British Musician
The English don't like concepts, really, not from a pop star. It's alright if they come from an 'intellectual,', but from a pop star you're getting ahead of yourself. Part of the class game is that you shouldn't rise above your station, and to start talking about concepts if you're in the pop world is getting a bit uppity, isn't it?
Quote examples
Adrienne Bailon
American Musician
If you decide you want to change your life around, it doesn't matter where you came from, what you did, if you were incarcerated or you are from the projects, if you are an uppity kid who came from a really wealthy family - and all of them do drugs and are into that life - it doesn't matter; come as you are, and God does his work.
Quote examples
Sarah Cooper
Jamaican Comedian
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just 'thinking out loud,' 'throwing something out there,' or sharing something 'dumb,' 'random,' or 'crazy.
Quote examples
Paula Deen
American Chef
The thought of eating rabbit and squirrels doesn't appeal to me. And that was on our table quite often as a kid. In your uppity restaurants, they serve a lot of rabbit. But I just can't help but think of Peter. And deer, I can't go there, because of Bambi.
Quote examples
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
British Royalty
I have so many friends who, if I ever even vaguely look like getting uppity, which touch wood I never have, they would just say, 'Look, come on, pull yourself together! Don't be so bloody grand!
Quote examples
Eric McCormack
Canadian Actor
I always get a little uppity when I hear the phrase 'TV actor.' It's like saying you're a magazine reporter. I was in the theater for ten years before I ever had a TV audition.
Quote examples
Adrienne Mayor
American Historian
We are used to thinking of Amazon myths in terms of violence against uppity women, but the ancient evidence also reveals a vision of gender equality.
Quote examples
Fabolous
American Rapper
That's the kind of lane that I try to keep my fashion usually in - not too uppity, not too out of the norm, but little touches that make it special.
Quote examples
Clifford Stoll
American Author
The Internet is a telephone system that's gotten uppity.
Example 1 of 9
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