above

[[t]əbʌ̱v[/t]]

♦♦

1) PREP 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.

Ant:

below

ADV: ADV after v, from ADV

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) ADV: ADV after v, n ADV 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.

Ant:

below

N-SING-COLL: the N

Above is also a noun.

For additional information, contact any of the above.

ADJ: ADJ n

Above is also an adjective.

For a copy of their brochure, write to the above address.

3) PREP 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.

Ant:

below

ADV: amount and ADV

Above is also an adverb.

Banks have been charging 25 percent and above for unsecured loans.

4) PREP 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.

Syn:

over

5) PREP 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 and see what type of characters they are.

Ant:

below

ADV: from ADV

Above is also an adverb.

The policemen admitted beating the student, but said they were acting on orders from above.

6) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone is getting above themself, you disapprove of them because they think they are better than everyone else. [BRIT]

I just think you're getting a little bit above yourself.

7) PREP (disapproval) 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.

This was clearly a failure by someone who thought he was above failure...

I'm not above doing my own cleaning.

8) PREP: v-link PREP n If someone is above criticism or suspicion, they cannot be criticized or suspected because of their good qualities or their position.

The Queen remains above criticism, apart from the issue of her tax liability...

He was a respected academic and above suspicion.

Syn:

beyond

9) PREP 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.

10) over and above → see over

above the law → see law

above board → see board