above
♦♦ above /əb'ʌv/
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.
≠ 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...
≠ 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...
≠ 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...
Government spending is planned to rise 3 per cent above inflation.
≠ 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.
Then there was a woman's voice, rising shrilly above the barking.
= 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 married above myself-rich county people...
≠ 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 [PREP]
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.
I'm not above doing my own cleaning.
7 [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.
He was a respected academic and above suspicion.
= beyond
8 [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...
9
over and above: see over
above the law: see law
above board: see boardrise above
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you rise above a difficulty or problem, you manage not to let it affect you.
It tells the story of an aspiring young man's attempt to rise above the squalor of the street.
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.
≠ 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...
≠ 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...
≠ 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...
Government spending is planned to rise 3 per cent above inflation.
≠ 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.
Then there was a woman's voice, rising shrilly above the barking.
= 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 married above myself-rich county people...
≠ 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 [PREP]
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.
I'm not above doing my own cleaning.
7 [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.
He was a respected academic and above suspicion.
= beyond
8 [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...
9
over and above: see over
above the law: see law
above board: see boardrise above
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you rise above a difficulty or problem, you manage not to let it affect you.
It tells the story of an aspiring young man's attempt to rise above the squalor of the street.