upmarket

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'upmarket' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to goods and services marketed to people with a high level of disposable income. For example, "This upmarket hotel offers a wide range of luxurious amenities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And if roughing it is not your style, it may be worth paying a bit more to travel with one of the upmarket specialists, such as Abercrombie & Kent (abercrombiekent.co.uk), Cox & Kings (coxandkings.co.uk) or Bales (balesworldwide.com).

The Guardian - Travel

The group, which has previously organised sit-ins at Vodafone shops and at upmarket grocer Fortnum & Mason, will be meeting outside St Paul's in London on Saturday morning under the banner "no cuts, no tax-dodging", before joining a TUC march through central London against the government's austerity programme.

The Guardian - Business

Here, however, I could abuse the challenge and buy just as much by visiting upmarket vintage boutiques and filling my boots on eBay.

The Guardian

Ermita, with its bullfighting memorabilia and miles of ham hanging from the ceiling, is a blend of rustic charm and upmarket swank.

The Guardian - Travel

As universities have developed more upmarket accommodation, many have bundled other services such as catering into accommodation packages, with no chance to opt out and hunt for cheaper alternatives.

The Guardian

Now, in the latest take on the protest franchise, a small group of dedicated demonstrators are camped on the central reservation of a highway in an upmarket suburb of Rio de Janeiro, the Olympic-city-in-waiting. Their goal: Occupy Golf.

The Guardian

Boasting upmarket patisseries, jewellery stores, a sushi restaurant and cinemas, it is a magnet for the well-off in a city characterised by sharp social divisions.

The Guardian

Home: Devon at a discount Upmarket self-catering specialist Blue Chip Holidays is offering discounts of up to 20% on holidays in Devon in June.

The Guardian - Travel

"We import all the seeds, most of the pesticides and elements for fertilisers, we import all of the equipment and we import the generators," said Lebedev, sipping a latte in an upmarket Moscow restaurant.

The Guardian

In January, it announced a new $25m £15mm) investment in Nairobi, Kenya, which will include more than 400 upmarket flats, a business hotel, and east Africa's largest shopping mall.

The Guardian

For this is upmarket tourism (charter flights are banned), at upmarket prices, but absolutely worth it.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a product or service as "upmarket", ensure that the features and pricing align with the expectations of a high-income customer base. Substantiate the claim with specific details about quality, exclusivity, or premium materials.

Common error

Avoid using "upmarket" loosely without concrete evidence of superior quality or exclusive features. This can mislead customers and damage credibility. Always provide specific details that justify the "upmarket" label.

Linguistic Context

The word "upmarket" primarily functions as an adjective to describe something designed for or appealing to wealthy consumers. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it modifies nouns such as "hotel", "restaurant", and "property".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upmarket" is a versatile adjective used to describe products, services, or locations targeted at wealthier consumers. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in news and business contexts. While synonyms like ""high-end"" and ""premium"" exist, "upmarket" carries a specific nuance of catering to a discerning clientele. When using "upmarket", ensure the quality and features justify the description, and avoid overuse without providing concrete evidence. As Ludwig's examples show, "upmarket" is frequently found in reputable publications such as The Guardian and The Economist, demonstrating its widespread acceptance and use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upscale

A direct synonym, indicating a move towards higher quality and status.

high-end

Focuses specifically on the higher end of a product or service range.

premium quality

Emphasizes the superior quality and associated higher price point.

luxury

Highlights the luxurious aspects and exclusive nature.

exclusive

Stresses the limited availability and prestige.

top-tier

Implies being in the highest rank or level of quality.

superior

Highlights the better quality compared to standard options.

deluxe

Suggests enhanced features and comfort, usually at a higher cost.

first-class

Indicates the highest level of service or product.

elite

Implies exclusivity and high social status associated with the product or service.

FAQs

How can I use "upmarket" in a sentence?

"Upmarket" can be used to describe products, services, or areas that are designed for or appeal to wealthy customers. For example, "This is an "upmarket hotel"" or "They live in an "upmarket neighbourhood"".

What's the difference between "upmarket" and "luxury"?

"Luxury" implies a very high level of comfort and expense, while "upmarket" suggests a higher quality or more expensive version of something, but not necessarily at the extreme end of the scale. An upmarket product could be a more refined version of a standard product, while "luxury items" are often extravagant.

Which is more accurate: "upmarket" or "expensive"?

While both can describe something costly, "upmarket" implies a higher quality and target market. "Expensive" simply indicates a high price. Therefore, "upmarket" is more accurate when describing something that is both high-quality and aimed at wealthier consumers, while "expensive" is a more general term.

What are some synonyms for "upmarket"?

Alternatives to "upmarket" include "high-end", "premium", "exclusive", and "upscale". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.