above
uh-BUHV
Above (prep) means In a position higher than something else; overhead of. Example: “A single bulb hung above the table.”
prep
1
In a position higher than something else; overhead of.
"A single bulb hung above the table."
"Storm clouds gathered above the valley."
"The aeroplane flew high above the clouds on its way south."
2
Greater than in amount, degree, or rank.
"Temperatures rose above thirty degrees."
"She was quickly promoted above her former manager."
"Anyone aged above sixty can join the walking group at a lower rate."
adv
1
Earlier in a piece of writing; higher up on the same page.
"See the table above for full results."
"As mentioned above, the form must be signed before Friday."
"The answers listed above are all taken from last year's paper."
noun
1
What was mentioned earlier in a document.
"All of the above applies equally to part-time staff."
"Please read the above carefully before you sign the form."
"Nothing in the above should worry you if you follow the rules."
How to use above
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHigher up — whether physically overhead, higher in a ranking, or earlier on the page you're reading.
Easily confused with
abovementioned
Common pairings
above average
above all
the above
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Etymology
From Old English abufan, joining on ("on") and bufan ("over") — a Germanic compound related to Dutch boven and German oben.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for above
See all rhymes for above →Frequently asked questions
What does “above” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “above”?
“Above” is pronounced uh-BUHV (/əˈbʌv/ in IPA).
How do you use “above” in a sentence?
Here is “above” used in a sentence: “A single bulb hung above the table.”
What part of speech is “above”?
Depending on how it is used, “above” can be a preposition, an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “above” come from?
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.
Is “above” a common word?
“Above” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “above” have?
“Above” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a position higher than something else; overhead of.
What is the difference between above and over?
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.
What is the difference between above and abovementioned?
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.
What is the opposite of above?
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.
Is above a preposition or an adverb?
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.
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