above

uh-BUV/əˈbʌv/

24 meanings of above

1
over (in space)preposition
Higher than something else, or going up over it.
Birds fly above the earth.
A lamp hung above the table.
UsageOver can mean the same, but also covering or crossing: a bridge over a river.
Similarover
Oppositebelow, beneath, under, underneath
Note
2
previously (text)adverb
Earlier on the page or in the text, as in 'see above'.
Call the phone number shown above if you have any questions.
See the table above for details.
UsageSay see above or the table above.
Similarearlier, previously
Oppositebelow
Note
3
mentioned earlieradjective
Mentioned or shown earlier on the page, as in 'the above table'.
Fill in the above form and return it.
The above figures are estimates.
UsageSay the above form or the form above.
Similaraforementioned, foregoing, preceding
Oppositefollowing
4
more than (level)preposition
More than a certain amount, number, or level.
That offer is way above our asking price.
Temperatures stayed above thirty degrees all week.
UsageSay above average or above zero.
Similarover, beyond
Oppositebelow, under
5
valued morepreposition
In preference to, more than anything else, as in 'above all'.
She valued honesty above wealth.
Above all, be kind.
UsageAbove all means most importantly.
Similarover, before
6
too good forprepositionfiguratively
Too good, honest, or proud to do a certain thing, or too good to be blamed, doubted, or controlled by something.
Everyone trusted the old doctor. He was above suspicion.
He is not above telling a small lie to get what he wants.
UsageNot above lying means willing to lie.
Similarbeyond
7
what came beforenoununcountable
The thing, or the person, named earlier on the page, as in 'the above'.
I certify that the above is true.
Read the above carefully before you sign the form.
UsageSay all of the above.
Similaraforementioned
Oppositefollowing
8
higher upadverb
Higher up, upstairs, or farther up a river.
The family lived above and let out the shop below.
The river is narrower above, near its source.
UsageIt can go after a noun: the room above.
Similarupstairs, overhead, upstream
Oppositebelow, downstairs, downstream
9
and upwardadverb
More, or higher, in number or amount, as in 'twelve and above'.
The rule applies to children of twelve and above.
Scores of ninety and above earn a distinction.
UsageSay ten and above.
Similarover, higher, up
Oppositebelow, under, lower

Less common meanings

10
higher rankpreposition
Higher than someone in rank, importance, or position.
A colonel is above a major.
After her promotion, Maria is now above her old boss.
UsageUse above the rank of before a rank: officers above the rank of major.
Similarover
Oppositebelow, under
Note
11
the heavensadverb
In heaven or in the sky, as in 'the stars above' or 'sent from above'.
We lay on the beach at night, looking at the bright moon above.
They prayed for help from above.
12
plus (temperature)adverb
Higher than zero on the thermometer, as in 'five above'.
It was a cold day at only five above.
The forecast says ten above by noon.
UsageSay five above, meaning five above zero.
Oppositebelow
13
those in chargeadverb
At a higher level of authority, as in 'the court above'.
The manager said the final decision would come from above.
Orders came down from above.
UsageSay orders came from above.
Oppositebelow
14
north ofpreposition
Farther north than, as on a map where north is at the top.
Canada is above the United States, so its winters are colder.
Scotland lies above England.
Oppositebelow
15
heavenlyadjective
Of heaven, heavenly, as in 'the world above'.
She hopes to see her mom again in the world above.
Their reward waits in the realm above.
Similarheavenly, celestial
Oppositeearthly
16
added toprepositiondialectalScotland
In addition to, besides, as in 'over and above'.
They paid a bonus over and above the wage.
There is a ten-dollar fee over and above the ticket price.
UsageUse over and above before a noun: a fee over and above the rent.
Similarbesides, beyond
Note
17
adverbarchaic
In old use, in addition, as well, on top of that.
Note
18
animal's backadverb
In describing an animal, on its upper side or back.
The sparrow was rufous above and off-white below.
The fish is dark above and silver beneath.
UsageSay dark above and light below.
Oppositebelow, beneath, underneath
Note
19
nounarchaicuncountable
In old use, a better position, the upper hand, as in 'come to their above'.
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 EndHere, above means the upper hand or a winning position.
Note
20
preposition
Beyond something, on the far side of it, especially farther up a river or road.
21
nounrare
Heaven, used as a noun with 'the', as in 'sent from the above'.
22
nounrare
Higher authority, the people in charge, as a noun.
23
preposition
In the theater, farther from the audience than, upstage of.
24
prepositionrare
On top of something, especially one piece of clothing over another.

Practice

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Origin

From Old English, made of on ("on") plus bufan ("over"). Bufan itself came from bi ("by") plus ufan ("over").

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Above derives from Old English. en.wiktionary.org
Its Old English formation combines on, meaning “on”, with bufan, meaning “over”. en.wiktionary.org
Bufan derives from bi, meaning “by”, plus ufan, meaning “over”. en.wiktionary.org