prep
upon
uh-PON
prep
1
A more formal or literary word for "on".
"Once upon a time, there lived a king."
"The decision rests upon the committee's vote."
How to Use Upon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fancier way of saying "on," common in formal writing and set phrases.
When to use it
More formal and literary than plain "on"; common in fixed phrases like "once upon a time."
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Once _____ a time, there lived a king.
Etymology
From Middle English upon, from Old English uppon, formed from up + on.