1 C1 informal
In games or simulations, to advance a character to a later stage of life or an older age group.
"Once your Sim ages up to a teenager, new interaction options become available."
inseparable
age up
C1 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To advance to an older age category, or (in fiction/games) to represent a character as older.
In plain English
To move to an older age group, or to show a character as being older than they originally were.
What does "age up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To move from one age category to a higher one in a sport, programme, or administrative system.
"The young swimmer aged up to the 15–17 bracket after his birthday."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move upward along the age scale.
Actually means
To move to an older age group, or to show a character as being older than they originally were.
Usage tip
Common in gaming contexts (advancing a character to an older stage) and in fan fiction (depicting characters as older than in the original work). Also used in sports and social programmes for moving to an older age bracket. Relatively modern usage.
Words that pair with "age up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
character player avatar category bracket group
How to conjugate "age up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
age up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ages up
he/she/it
Past simple
aged up
yesterday
Past participle
aged up
have + pp
-ing form
aging up
continuous
Hear "age up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "age up"
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