English▸ preposition
1 in extended space over and not touching:
a display of fireworks above the town
a cable runs above the duct.
▪ extending upward over:
her arms above her head.
▪ higher than and to one side of; overlooking:
in the hills above the capital
on the wall above the altar.
2 at a higher level or layer than:
bruises above both eyes
small windows above the aisles.
▪ higher in grade or rank than:
at a level above the common people.
▪ considered of higher status or worth than; too good for:
I always like to say that I married above myself
above reproach.
▪ in preference to:
they cynically chose profit above car safety.
▪ at a higher volume or pitch than:
it went unheard above the din
above a whisper.
3 higher than (a specified amount, rate, or norm):
above sea level
above average
above freezing
the unemployment rate will soar above its present level.
▸ adverb at a higher level or layer:
place a quantity of mud in a jar with water above.
▪ higher in grade or rank:
an officer of the rank of superintendent or above.
▪ higher than a specified amount, rate, or norm:
boats of 31 ft. or above.
▪ (in printed text) mentioned earlier or further up on the same page:
the two cases described above
see above left
[as adjective] at the above address
[as noun] since writing the above, I have reconsidered.
– PHRASES
above all (also above all else)
more so than anything else:
conceited; arrogant:
from overhead:
be capable of stooping to (an unworthy act):
above all (also above all else)
more so than anything else:
he was concerned above all to speak the truth.
above oneself conceited; arrogant:
he's getting a bit above himself.
from above from overhead:
branches rained from above.
▪ from a position of higher rank or authority:
not be above mass culture is imposed from above.
be capable of stooping to (an unworthy act):
he was not above practical jokes.
– ORIGIN Old English abufan (as an adverb), from a- ‘on’ + bufan (from bi ‘by’ + ufan ‘above’).