What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
upturned
Example
The upturned collar of his jacket protected his neck from the cold wind. [upturned: adjective]
Example
She had an upturned nose that made her look cute. [upturned: adjective]
Example
Her hair was styled in an upturned bob that framed her face beautifully. [upturned: adjective]
overturned
Example
The overturned trash can spilled garbage all over the street. [overturned: adjective]
Example
The court overturned the previous ruling and declared the defendant innocent. [overturned: verb]
Example
The car overturned on the highway, causing a major traffic jam. [overturned: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overturned is more commonly used than upturned in everyday language. Overturned is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while upturned is less common and has more specific uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between upturned and overturned?
Both upturned and overturned are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.