above

uh-BUV/əˈbʌv/

24 meanings of above

1
over (in space)preposition
In or to a higher place or position than; over, often rising or towering higher than something.
We watched the eagle circle high above the valley.
Hang the mirror above the fireplace.
UsageAbove means higher than; over often adds covering or crossing: a lamp above the table, a bridge over the river.
Similarover
Oppositebelow, beneath, under, underneath
Note
The 1611 Bible already has fowl that "flie aboue the earth."
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
The 1611 King James Bible contains the quoted wording about flying fowl. wiki.crosswire.org
2
previously (text)adverb
Higher on the same page, or earlier in a text or document.
The rules described above apply to all entrants.
As I said above, the offer stands.
UsageUse see above to refer back, or place above after a noun or participle: the table above, the rules described above.
Similarearlier, previously
Oppositebelow
Note
The page is read top to bottom, so earlier means higher. Bierce writes of "the date mentioned above." A 1905 edition of Swedenborg's Heaven and Hell sends readers back with "may be seen above" and paragraph numbers, the cross-referencing habit of long, numbered prose.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
Bierce uses the quoted phrase; it occurs in the narration of The Thing at Nolan. gutenberg.org
A 1905 edition of Swedenborg’s Heaven and Hell exists; the date is explicitly an edition date. archive.org
Heaven and Hell uses may be seen above with numbered references to earlier passages. gutenberg.org
3
mentioned earlieradjective
Mentioned or shown earlier on the same page or a preceding one.
Please mail the signed form to the above address.
None of the above statements is false.
UsageGoes before the noun, the above address, while the adverb follows it: the address above.
Similaraforementioned, foregoing, preceding
Oppositefollowing
4
more than (level)preposition
More than; exceeding in number, quantity or degree.
Anyone above sixty-five travels free.
Sales this year are above last year's.
UsageCommon with levels and scales: above average, above thirty degrees. With ages and counts, over is more common.
Similarover, beyond
Oppositebelow, under
5
valued morepreposition
In preference to, or more than.
They prized loyalty above talent.
I want, above everything, to finish the book.
UsageBest known in above all, meaning most importantly.
Similarover, before
6
too good forprepositionfiguratively
Too good, honest, or important to be subject to something or to stoop to doing it; beyond the reach of.
His conduct has always been above reproach.
She clearly thought she was above helping with the dishes after dinner.
UsageSet phrases: above suspicion, above reproach. Not above doing something means willing to do it.
Similarbeyond
7
what came beforenoununcountable
What appears higher on the same page or on an earlier one, especially a name in a legal document.
All of the above applies to part-time staff.
If any of the above applies to you, call your doctor before taking this medicine.
UsageUsually the above or all of the above.
Similaraforementioned
Oppositefollowing
8
higher upadverb
At a higher level or point; on a floor overhead, or farther up a stream or river.
We rented the flat above.
The bridge above was washed away in the flood.
UsageOften after a noun (the room above) or after from: noise from above.
Similarupstairs, overhead, upstream
Oppositebelow, downstairs, downstream
9
and upwardadverb
More in number or amount, or higher on a scale.
Sizes ten and above are on the top rail.
Anything rated three stars or above will do.
UsageUsually and above or or above after a number: twelve and above.
Similarover, higher, up
Oppositebelow, under, lower

Less common meanings

10
higher rankpreposition
Holding a more senior rank, status, or position than; outranking.
He answers to no one above him but the director.
Officers above the rank of major get a car.
UsageOften above the rank of: officers above the rank of major. Head and shoulders above means far better.
Similarover
Oppositebelow, under
Note
Hierarchy drawn as a ladder, with the senior standing higher. John Walker, writing about pronunciation in 1791, could describe speakers "much above the vulgar," meaning well above the common people in social standing. The ranks in question can be social classes, not only titles.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
John Walker published his work on pronunciation in 1791. wellcomecollection.org
Walker described speakers as "much above the vulgar," referring to their higher standing. en.wiktionary.org
11
the heavensadverb
In the sky or in heaven, into or from heaven: the heavens above, a gift from above, the powers above. Often with a religious or poetic tone.
She looked to the skies above and said a prayer.
Some saw the rescue as a sign from above.
12
plus (temperature)adverb
Of temperature, higher than zero, used after a number.
By afternoon it had climbed to twelve above.
At only two above, the snow was not melting.
UsageShort for above zero: twelve above. The opposite is below: ten below.
Oppositebelow
13
those in chargeadverb
In or from a position of greater rank, power, or authority.
The plan was approved from above.
Complaints go to the manager, and from there to the people above.
UsageUsually from above: orders came from above.
Oppositebelow
14
north ofpreposition
Farther north than, as shown higher on a map.
Vermont sits above Massachusetts.
The towns just above the border get far more snow than those to the south.
Oppositebelow
15
heavenlyadjective
Of or belonging to heaven; heavenly, placed after the noun.
Set your heart on the things above.
The saints above were said to rejoice.
Similarheavenly, celestial
Oppositeearthly
16
added toprepositiondialectalScotland
In addition to or besides; outside Scotland, only in fixed phrases.
The tip was over and above the usual service charge.
That's extra, over and above what we agreed.
UsageMostly in over and above and above and beyond: a fee over and above the price.
Similarbesides, beyond
Note
A Scottish use, in which above can mean "besides" with an ordinary object. Outside Scotland the meaning lives on in two set doublets: over and above, and above and beyond, which often runs on into the call of duty.
17
adverbarchaic
In addition, besides or moreover.
Note
An archaic use without an object: "and a gift above" means "and a gift besides." In older prose it is easy to misread as overhead or as "earlier in the text," so check whether something has simply been added. The object-taking counterpart survives in over and above.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
Above has an archaic adverbial sense meaning 'in addition', supporting the illustrative paraphrase 'and a gift besides'. en.wiktionary.org
Over and above has a prepositional sense meaning 'in addition to'. en.wiktionary.org
18
animal's backadverb
On an animal's upper or dorsal surface, as opposed to its underside.
Adults are slate-blue above with a barred breast.
The snake is black above and yellow below.
UsageUsually paired with below: dark above, silver below.
Oppositebelow, beneath, underneath
Note
Field-guide shorthand for an animal's back and upper parts, usually paired with below for the belly: rufous above and off-white below. The reference is the animal's own body. A bird described as gray above is gray on its back whether it is perched, flying or held in the hand.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
Bird identification descriptions pair above and below to describe upperpart and underpart coloration. allaboutbirds.org
In this biological sense, above refers to the animal's upper or dorsal surface, so its reference does not change with the bird's position. en.wiktionary.org
19
nounarchaicuncountable
Betterment, a raised status or condition, or the upper hand.
Withal they saw of him that he had no doubt but that they should come to their above on the morrow,
1896, William Morris, The Well at the World's End
Note
An archaic noun of advantage, found in the idiom come to one's above: to rise to a better position or gain the upper hand. William Morris uses it in The Well at the World's End (1896), of men sure they will "come to their above on the morrow."
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
Above is an archaic noun meaning advantage or betterment. en.wiktionary.org
Come to one's above means to attain a better position or gain the upper hand. gutenberg.org
William Morris wrote The Well at the World's End. gutenberg.org
The book was first published in 1896. gutenberg.org
The quoted wording occurs in the narration, describing confidence in the men's success the following day. gutenberg.org
20
preposition
Beyond or farther along than, usually of places farther up a river or road.
21
nounrare
With the, heaven or the realm on high.
22
nounrare
Higher authority, or those of higher rank; rarely used.
23
preposition
In the theater, upstage of or farther from the audience than.
24
prepositionrare
On top of and in contact with, especially of clothing worn over other clothing.

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English above, from Old English ābufan or onbufan, formed from on ("on") plus bufan ("over"). Bufan in turn comes from bī ("by") plus ufan ("over"), and the word is related to Dutch boven and German oben.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

Above descends from Middle English above and Old English ābufan or onbufan. en.wiktionary.org
The Old English formation combines on, meaning on, with bufan, meaning over. en.wiktionary.org
Bufan combines bī, meaning by, with ufan, meaning over. en.wiktionary.org
Above is related to Dutch boven and German oben. en.wiktionary.org