If one thing is above another one, it is directly over it or higher than it.
He lifted his hands above his head.
Apartment 46 was a quiet apartment, unlike the one above it.
He was staring into the mirror above him.
Synonyms: over, upon, beyond, on top of More Synonyms of above
Above is also an adverb.
A long scream sounded from somewhere above.
...a picture of the new plane as seen from above.
There are five bedrooms, a large attic above, and wine cellars below.
2. adverb [ADVERB after verb, noun ADVERB]
In writing, you use above to refer to something that has already been mentioned or discussed.
Several conclusions could be drawn from the results described above.
Full details are in the table above.
Above is also a noun.
For additional information, contact any of the above.
Synonyms: earlier mentioned, previously mentioned, formerly mentioned, foregoing More Synonyms of above
Above is also an adjective.
For a copy of their brochure, write to the above address.
Synonyms: preceding, earlier, previous, prior More Synonyms of above
3. preposition
If an amount or measurement is above a particular level, it is greater than that level.
The temperature crept up to just above 40 degrees.
Victoria Falls has had above average levels of rainfall this year.
These plants must be stored in the light at above freezing temperature.
Government spending is planned to rise 3 per cent above inflation.
Synonyms: more than, over, exceeding, higher than More Synonyms of above
Above is also an adverb.
Banks have been charging 25 percent and above for unsecured loans.
4. preposition
If you hear one sound above another, it is louder or clearer than the second one.
...trying to talk above the noise.
Then there was a woman's voice, rising shrilly above the barking.
5. preposition
If someone is above you, they are in a higher social position than you or in a position of authority over you.
I know you're above me socially, but I must say I find your attitude offensive.
I married above myself–rich county people.
Look at the people above you in the positions of power.
Synonyms: senior to, over, ahead of, in charge of More Synonyms of above
Above is also an adverb.
The police officers admitted beating the student, but said they were acting on ordersfrom above.
6.
See get above oneself
7. preposition
If you say that someone thinks they are above something, you mean that they act as if they are too good or important for it.
[disapproval]
This was clearly a failure by someone who thought he was above failure.
I'm not above doing my own cleaning.
8. preposition
If someone is above criticism or suspicion, they cannot be criticized or suspected because of their good qualities or their position.
Science should not be above criticism.
He was a respected academic and above suspicion.
Synonyms: exempt from, superior to, beyond, immune to More Synonyms of above
9. preposition
If you value one person or thing above any other, you value them more or consider that they are more important.
...his tendency to put the team above everything.
I want to be honest, honest above everything else.
Synonyms: before, more than, rather than, beyond More Synonyms of above
10. over and above
11. above the law
12. above board
More Synonyms of above
English Easy Learning GrammarPrepositionsA preposition is one of a small but very common group of words that relate differentitems to each other. Most English prepositions have a number of meanings ... Read more
above in British English
(əˈbʌv)
preposition
1.
on top of or higher than; over
the sky above the earth
2.
greater than in quantity or degree
above average in weight
3.
superior to or prior to
to place honour above wealth
4.
too honourable or high-minded for
above petty gossiping
5.
too respected for; beyond
above suspicion
above reproach
6.
too difficult to be understood by
the talk was above me
7.
louder or higher than (other noise)
I heard her call above the radio
8.
in preference to
I love you above all others
9.
north of
which town lies just above Canberra?
10.
upstream from
11. above all
12. above and beyond
13. above oneself
adverb
14.
in or to a higher place
the sky above
15.
a.
in a previous place (in something written)
b.
(in combination)
the above-mentioned clause
16.
higher in rank or position
17.
in or concerned with heaven
seek the things that are above
noun
18. the above
adjective
19.
mentioned or appearing in a previous place (in something written)
Word origin
Old English abufan, from a- on + bufan above
above in American English
(əˈbʌv)
adverb
1.
in, at, or to a higher place; overhead; up
2.
in or to heaven
3.
at a previous place (in a piece of writing)
often used in hyphenated compounds
above-mentioned
4.
higher in power, status, etc.
preposition
5.
higher than; over; on top of
6.
beyond; past
the road above the village
7.
at a point upstream of
8.
superior to; better than
above the average
9.
a.
too honorable to engage in
she was not above cheating
b.
too proud, important, etc. to engage in
he was above helping with the dishes
10.
in excess of; more than
above fifty dollars
adjective
11.
placed, found, mentioned, etc. above or earlier
as stated in the above rules
noun
12.
something or someone listed or mentioned above
Idioms:
above all
Word origin
ME above(n) < OE abūfan, onbūfan, overhead, above < on-, intens. + bufan < be, by + ufan, over, on high
Examples of 'above' in a sentence
above
The tenants of the flat above are very noisy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Swindon are perched just above the relegation zone after just one win in their last ten games.
The Sun (2017)
So the collection is above your average high street price but not anywhere near international designer prices.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Similar waves have been seen above powerful thunderstorms in the past.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It also means that the judges must at all times be above suspicion.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It may leave those above the threshold wondering why they should have to put up with poorly explained fees or mistreatment.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are one point above relegation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He's showing me to be a good player but above all a good man.
The Sun (2017)
Simply add two numbers that are next to each other, and write the numbers above them.
The Sun (2016)
We've an award recognising people who have gone above and beyond their degree.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is no one younger above him.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Our lease says that we own the loft above the flat.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What was said above about vocabulary applies especially to the public speaker.
Lumsden, Robert 23 Steps to Successful Achievement (1972)
Text printing was also above average in terms of speed and quality.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The classic flying saucer shape is seen above two ships.
The Sun (2008)
YOU'LL be surprised to be told that the snap above also features a screen hunk.
The Sun (2013)
So the manager is not exactly above suspicion.
The Sun (2009)
You can send your entries to the above address.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But he goes above and beyond that.
The Sun (2010)
The lunch options referred to above all work as dinners.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His car was only one notch above being held together with string.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
One who grew up in difficult circumstances and knows more than most about rising above adversity.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But it is a notch above average all the same.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Her sad story is detailed above.
The Sun (2013)
Write the above in your index.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Or rather the top of his hair, which is a good two inches above his head.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Don't you think the benefits above are worth a little time?
Sally Gunnell, Kathryn Leigh BE YOUR BEST: How Anyone can become Fit, Healthy and Confident (2002)
He's just a good friend above all.
The Sun (2015)
Once strawberry plants have been harvested, cut back the old leaves above the crowns and remove unwanted runners.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
See above for further details.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Some cars have a mini visor just above the interior mirror, which can be folded down to protect against sun coming in at an angle.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
When seen from above, leaves often spiral round a stem to maximize the plant's absorption of sunlight.
Robertson, Bruce Learn to Draw Countryside (1996)
In other languages
above
British English: above /əˈbʌv/ PREPOSITION
If something is above another thing, it is over it or higher than it.
Lift the ball above your head.
American English: above
Arabic: فَوْقَ
Brazilian Portuguese: acima de
Chinese: 在...上方
Croatian: iznad
Czech: nad
Danish: over
Dutch: boven
European Spanish: encima de
Finnish: yläpuolella
French: au-dessus de
German: über
Greek: πάνω από
Italian: sopra
Japanese: ･･･の上に
Korean: ...보다 위에
Norwegian: ovenfor
Polish: ponad
European Portuguese: acima de
Romanian: deasupra
Russian: над
Latin American Spanish: encima de
Swedish: ovanför
Thai: เหนือ
Turkish: üzerinde
Ukrainian: над
Vietnamese: ở trên
All related terms of 'above'
above all
You say above all to indicate that the thing you are mentioning is the most important point.
above par
If a bond or stock is priced above par , it is trading for more than its face value.
the above
something that is above or previously mentioned
above board
An arrangement or deal that is above board is legal and is being carried out honestly and openly.
above-named
used in a text to refer back to a person or thing that has already been named
rise above
If you rise above a difficulty or problem , you manage not to let it affect you.
above example
An example of something is a particular situation, object, or person which shows that what is being claimed is true .
above ground
not underground
above stairs
upstairs
above oneself
presumptuous or conceited
above-mentioned
used in a text to refer back to a person or thing that has already been mentioned
above reproach
perfect ; beyond criticism
above suspicion
in such a position that no guilt may be thought or implied , esp through having an unblemished reputation
a cut above
If you say that someone or something is a cut above other people or things of the same kind, you mean they are better than them.
above all else
Above all else is used to emphasize that a particular thing is more important than other things.
above expectations
Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen or that you will get something that you want .
above the law
If you accuse someone of thinking they are above the law , you criticize them for thinking that they are so clever or important that they do not need to obey the law.
above-the-line
denoting entries printed above the horizontal line on a company's profit-and-loss account separating the entries that show how the profit (or loss ) was made from the entries showing how the profit is to be distributed
over and above
Over and above an amount, especially a normal amount, means more than that amount or in addition to it.
above and beyond
in addition to
above the water
out of trouble or difficulty , esp financial trouble
get above oneself
If you say that someone is getting above themself , you disapprove of them because they think they are better than everyone else.
to be above ground
to be alive
aboveboard
in a straightforward manner
beyond measure
If you say that something has changed or that it has affected you beyond measure , you are emphasizing that it has done this to a great extent .
above ground/below ground
Something that is below ground is under the earth's surface or under a building . Something that is above ground is on top of the earth's surface.
above-the-line promotion
Above-the-line promotion is the use of promotional methods that cannot be directly controlled by the company selling the goods or service, such as television or press advertising . Compare → below-the-line promotion .
a cut above the rest
much better than other similar people or things
head and shoulders above
greatly superior to
punch above one's weight
to do something that is considered to be beyond one's ability
punch above your weight
to have more influence or power than you would be expected to have
the Holy One
God
above (or below) the salt
in a more honored (or less honored) position
keep one's head above water
to manage to survive a difficult experience
keep your head above water
to struggle to survive , for example by keeping out of debt
to keep your head above water
If you keep your head above water , you just avoid getting into difficulties ; used especially to talk about business.
be head and shoulders above someone
to be much better than other people or things of the same kind
place sth above/before/over sth
If you place one thing above , before , or over another, you think that the first thing is more important than the second and you show this in your behaviour .
put your head above the parapet
to do or say something in public that has previously been kept private , and risk being criticized or attacked
put one's head above the parapet/keep one's head below the parapet
If you say that someone puts their head above the parapet , you mean they take a risk . If you say they keep their head below the parapet , you mean they avoid taking a risk.
Chinese translation of 'above'
above
(əˈbʌv)
prep
(= higher than) 在 ... 上面 (zài ... shàngmian)
(= greater than, more than) (in number) 超过(過) (chāoguò)
(in rank, authority) 级(級)别(別)高于(於) (jíbié gāoyú)
to be above sth (= better, superior) 不屑于(於)某事 (bùxiè yú mǒushì)
to be above suspicion/criticism (= beyond) 无(無)法猜疑/指责(責)的 (wúfǎ cāiyí/zhǐzé de)
(in loudness, = over) 高过(過) (gāoguò)
⇒ I couldn't hear her above all the noise.太吵了，我听不见她在说什么。 (Tài chǎo le, wǒ tīng bù jiàn tā zài shuō shénme.)
(in importance, = before) 胜(勝)过(過) (shèngguò)
adv
(in position, = higher up, overhead) 在上面 (zài shàngmian)
(in amount, number, = greater, more) 以上 (yǐshàng)
(in authority, power) 上级(級) (shàngjí)
(in writing) 在上文 (zài shàngwén)
adj
the above address上述地址 (shàngshù dìzhǐ)
above all首先 (shǒuxiān)
from above从(從)上面 (cóng shàngmian)
any/none of the above上述中任一/无(無)一 (shàngshù zhōng rèn yī/wú yī)
All related terms of 'above'
up above
再往上 zài wǎng shàng
above all
首先 shǒuxiān
above board
光明正大 guāngmíng zhèngdà
from above
从(從)上面 cóng shàngmian
below/above ground
地下/上 dìxià/shang
the above address
上述地址 shàngshù dìzhǐ
to be above sth
( better, superior ) 不屑于(於)某事 bùxiè yú mǒushì
viewed from above
从(從)上鸟(鳥)瞰 cóng shàng niǎokàn
to rise above sth
不受某事的影响(響) bù shòu mǒushì de yǐngxiǎng
to be above the law
凌(淩)驾(駕)于(於)法律之上 língjià yú fǎlǜ zhī shàng
any/none of the above
上述中任一/无(無)一 shàngshù zhōng rèn yī/wú yī
to be a cut above ...
比 ... 高一等 bǐ ... gāo yī děng
100 metres above/below sea level
海拔/低于(於)海平面100米 hǎibá/dīyú hǎipíngmiàn yībǎi mǐ
directly above/below/in front etc
正上/下/前方 等 zhèng shàng/xià/qiánfāng děng
to be above suspicion/criticism
( beyond ) 无(無)法猜疑/指责(責)的 wúfǎ cāiyí/zhǐzé de
to tower above or over sb/sth
比某人/某物高得多 bǐ mǒurén/mǒuwù gāo de duō
to marry/be educated above one's station
( o.f. ) 与(與)高于(於)本人地位的人结(結)婚/受到高于(於)本人地位的教育 yǔ gāoyú běnrén dìwèi de rén jiéhūn/shòudào gāoyú běnrén dìwèi de jiàoyù
above/below (the) average
高于(於)/低于(於)平均水平 gāoyú/dīyú píngjūn shuǐpíng
1 (preposition)
Definition
higher than
He lifted his arms above his head.
Synonyms
over
upon
beyond
on top of
exceeding
higher than
atop
Opposites
under
,
below
,
beneath
,
underneath
2 (preposition)
Definition
greater than in quantity or degree
The temperature crept up to just above 40 degrees.
Synonyms
more than
over
exceeding
higher than
greater than
upwards of
beyond
3 (preposition)
Definition
superior to or higher than in quality, rank, or ability
the people above you in the organization
Synonyms
senior to
over
ahead of
in charge of
higher than
surpassing
superior to
more powerful than
Opposites
less than
,
lesser than
,
lower than
,
subordinate to
,
inferior to
4 (preposition)
Definition
superior to or higher than in quality, rank, or ability
I thought you were above such nonsense.
Synonyms
better than
superior to
5 (preposition)
Definition
too respected for
Dr Suarez was a respected academic and above suspicion.
Synonyms
exempt from
superior to
beyond
immune to
not subject to
out of reach of
not exposed to
not liable to
not in danger of
not vulnerable to
insusceptible to
6 (preposition)
Definition
in preference to
I want to be honest, above everything else.
Synonyms
before
more than
rather than
beyond
instead of
sooner than
in preference to
1 (adverb)
Definition
in or to a higher place
A long scream sounded from somewhere above.
Synonyms
overhead
planes passing overhead
upward
in the sky
on high
in heaven
atop
aloft
Four of the nine balloons were still aloft the next day.
up above
skyward
2 (adverb)
Definition
in a previous place (in something written or printed)
For additional information, contact any of the above.
Synonyms
earlier mentioned
previously mentioned
formerly mentioned
foregoing
(adjective)
Definition
appearing in a previous place (in something written or printed)
The department posted the above picture on its website.
Synonyms
preceding
Please refer back to the preceding chapter.
earlier
Earlier reports of a second referendum have not been confirmed.
previous
They had brought their furniture from their previous house.
prior
He claimed he had no prior knowledge of the protest.
foregoing
The foregoing discussion has highlighted the difficulties.
aforementioned
the aforementioned conference
aforesaid
the aforesaid organizations and institutions
phrase
See above all
idiom
See above yourself
related words
related prefixessuper-supra-sur-
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aforementioned
Definition
mentioned before
the aforementioned conference
Synonyms
aforesaid,
previously mentioned,
earlier mentioned,
prior mentioned,
aforenamed
in the sense of aforesaid
Definition
referred to previously
the aforesaid organizations and institutions
Synonyms
aforementioned,
previously mentioned,
earlier mentioned,
prior mentioned,
aforenamed
in the sense of aloft
Definition
in the air
Four of the nine balloons were still aloft the next day.