above

The word “above” means in a position higher than something else; overhead of. In plain terms, higher up — whether physically overhead, higher in a ranking, or earlier on the page you're reading.

“Above” is pronounced uh-BUHV (/əˈbʌv/ in IPA).

Here is “above” used in a sentence: “A single bulb hung above the table.”

Depending on how it is used, “above” can be a preposition, an adverb and a noun.

The word “above” comes from Old English. From Old English abufan, joining on ("on") and bufan ("over") — a Germanic compound related to Dutch boven and German oben.

“Above” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Above” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a position higher than something else; overhead of.

Both mean at a higher level, and often either works. Above usually means simply higher, without contact or coverage — a picture above the sofa. Over can add the sense of covering, crossing, or movement — a blanket over the bed, a plane flying over the city. Above tends to be more static and vertical.

Above is a preposition or adverb meaning in a higher position, or earlier in a text. Abovementioned is an adjective meaning already referred to earlier in the same document, common in formal, legal, and business writing. So above points to a position, while abovementioned points back to something already named.

The main opposites are below, under, and beneath, all meaning in a lower position. Below is the most direct counterpart — if a shelf is above the desk, the desk is below the shelf. Underneath works too, especially when one thing sits directly beneath another.

It can be both. As a preposition it takes an object — 'the lamp above the table'. As an adverb it stands alone — 'the stars above'. It can also act as an adjective or noun in phrases like 'the above', meaning something mentioned earlier in a text.