stack up

verb

stacked up; stacking up; stacks up

intransitive verb

1

: to add up : total

2

: measure up, compare

—usually used with against

Synonyms

• approach
• approximate
• compare (with)
• measure up (to)

Examples of stack up in a Sentence

those newspapers have been stacking up in the basement since we moved here

Recent Examples on the Web

As people stack up in the ER, wait times lengthen, contributing to overcrowding. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2024

And the deal comes at a perfect time as this summer is stacking up to be bigger than ever with several brand new experiences at Universal Orlando. —Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2024

In the first game, Rochester stacked up their six runs first. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 29 May 2024

And how will the sound quality stack up after some extended listening time? —Chris Welch, The Verge, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stack up

verb

: measure up sense 2, compare

see how you stack up against the champion