# above

Pronunciation: say "uh-BUV" /əˈbʌv/

## Preposition

1. In or to a higher place or position than; over, often rising or towering higher than something.
   - Simple: Higher than something else, or going up over it.
   - _We watched the eagle circle high above the valley._
   - _Hang the mirror above the fireplace._
4. More than; exceeding in number, quantity or degree.
   - Simple: More than a certain amount, number, or level.
   - _Anyone above sixty-five travels free._
   - _Sales this year are above last year's._
5. In preference to, or more than.
   - Simple: In preference to, more than anything else, as in 'above all'.
   - _They prized loyalty above talent._
   - _I want, above everything, to finish the book._
6. Too good, honest, or important to be subject to something or to stoop to doing it; beyond the reach of.
   - Simple: Too good, honest, or proud to do a certain thing, or too good to be blamed, doubted, or controlled by something.
   - _His conduct has always been above reproach._
   - _She clearly thought she was above helping with the dishes after dinner._
10. Holding a more senior rank, status, or position than; outranking.
   - Simple: Higher than someone in rank, importance, or position.
   - _He answers to no one above him but the director._
   - _Officers above the rank of major get a car._
14. Farther north than, as shown higher on a map.
   - Simple: Farther north than, as on a map where north is at the top.
   - _Vermont sits above Massachusetts._
   - _The towns just above the border get far more snow than those to the south._
16. In addition to or besides; outside Scotland, only in fixed phrases. *(dialectal, Scotland)*
   - Simple: In addition to, besides, as in 'over and above'.
   - _The tip was over and above the usual service charge._
   - _That's extra, over and above what we agreed._

## Adverb

2. Higher on the same page, or earlier in a text or document.
   - Simple: Earlier on the page or in the text, as in 'see above'.
   - _The rules described above apply to all entrants._
   - _As I said above, the offer stands._
8. At a higher level or point; on a floor overhead, or farther up a stream or river.
   - Simple: Higher up, upstairs, or farther up a river.
   - _We rented the flat above._
   - _The bridge above was washed away in the flood._
9. More in number or amount, or higher on a scale.
   - Simple: More, or higher, in number or amount, as in 'twelve and above'.
   - _Sizes ten and above are on the top rail._
   - _Anything rated three stars or above will do._
11. 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.
   - Simple: In heaven or in the sky, as in 'the stars above' or 'sent from above'.
   - _She looked to the skies above and said a prayer._
   - _Some saw the rescue as a sign from above._
12. Of temperature, higher than zero, used after a number.
   - Simple: Higher than zero on the thermometer, as in 'five above'.
   - _By afternoon it had climbed to twelve above._
   - _At only two above, the snow was not melting._
13. In or from a position of greater rank, power, or authority.
   - Simple: At a higher level of authority, as in 'the court above'.
   - _The plan was approved from above._
   - _Complaints go to the manager, and from there to the people above._
18. On an animal's upper or dorsal surface, as opposed to its underside.
   - Simple: In describing an animal, on its upper side or back.
   - _Adults are slate-blue above with a barred breast._
   - _The snake is black above and yellow below._

## Adjective

3. Mentioned or shown earlier on the same page or a preceding one.
   - Simple: Mentioned or shown earlier on the page, as in 'the above table'.
   - _Please mail the signed form to the above address._
   - _None of the above statements is false._
15. Of or belonging to heaven; heavenly, placed after the noun.
   - Simple: Of heaven, heavenly, as in 'the world above'.
   - _Set your heart on the things above._
   - _The saints above were said to rejoice._

## Noun

7. What appears higher on the same page or on an earlier one, especially a name in a legal document.
   - Simple: The thing, or the person, named earlier on the page, as in 'the above'.
   - _All of the above applies to part-time staff._
   - _If any of the above applies to you, call your doctor before taking this medicine._

## Adverb

17. In addition, besides or moreover. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: In old use, in addition, as well, on top of that.

## Noun

19. Betterment, a raised status or condition, or the upper hand. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: In old use, a better position, the upper hand, as in 'come to their above'.

## Other meanings

- (preposition) Beyond or farther along than, usually of places farther up a river or road.
- (noun) With the, heaven or the realm on high.
- (noun) Higher authority, or those of higher rank; rarely used.
- (preposition) In the theater, upstage of or farther from the audience than.
- (preposition) On top of and in contact with, especially of clothing worn over other clothing.

## 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.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/above (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).