• (RP) IPA: /əˈbʌv/
• (GA) IPA: /əˈbʌv/

1. Physically over; on top of; worn on top of, said of clothing. [first attested before 1150.]

   He always put his coat on above his sweater.

2. In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface. [first attested before 1150]

   Antonyms: below, beneath

   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981 ↗, Genesis 1:20 ↗:

     And God said, Let the waters bring foorth aboundantly the moving creature that hath life, and foule that may flie above the earth in the open firmament of heauen.

3. Farther north than. [first attested before 1150]

   Idaho is above Utah.

4. Rising; appearing out of reach height-wise. [first attested around 1150–1350]
5. (figuratively) Higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; higher in measure, degree, volume, or pitch, etc. than; out of reach; not exposed to; not likely to be affected by; incapable of negative actions or thoughts. [first attested around 1150–1350]

   Even the chief of police is not above suspicion.

   He was always above reproach.

   I thought you said you were above these kinds of antics.

   That's above my comprehension.

   to cut above average

   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981 ↗, Acts 26:13 ↗:

     At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightnes of the Sunne, shining round about mee, and them which iourneyed with me.

6. Higher in rank, status, or position. [first attested around 1150–1350]

   to stand head and shoulders above the rest

   • 1791, John Walker, A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary […] ‎, London: Sold by G. G. J. and J. Robinſon, Paternoſter Row; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, OCLC 37805775 ↗, page 557, columns wrap}}] is often pronounced wrop, rhyming with top, even by ſpeakers much above the vulgar.:

     ☞ This word [{{m

7. In addition to; besides. [first attested around 1150–1350]

   above and beyond the call of duty

   over and above

8. Surpassing in number or quantity; more than. [first attested around 1350–1470]

   That amount is way above our asking price.

9. In preference to.
10. Too proud to stoop to; averse to; disinclined towards;

    The owner was above taking more than a token salary.

11. Beyond; on the other side.
12. (theater) Upstage of.

• Portuguese: acima
• Spanish: encima

• French: au-dessus de
• German: über
• Italian: sopra
• Portuguese: acima de, em cima de, sobre
• Russian: над
• Spanish: arriba, sobre, encima de

• French: par-dessus
• German: über
• Portuguese: acima de
• Russian: превы́ше

• French: plus de
• German: über
• Portuguese: acima de, mais que, mais de
• Russian: свы́ше
• Spanish: sobre

above (not comparable)

1. Directly overhead; vertically on top of. [first attested before 1150.]
2. Higher in the same page; earlier in the order as far as writing products go. [first attested before 1150.]
3. Into or from heaven; in the sky. [first attested around 1150–1350]

   He's in a better place now, floating free as the clouds above.

4. In a higher place; upstairs; farther upstream. [first attested around 1150–1350]
5. Higher in rank, power, or position. [first attested around 1150–1350]

   He appealed to the court above.

6. (archaic) In addition. [first attested around 1150–1350]
7. More in number. [first attested around 1350–1470]
8. Above zero; above freezing. [first attested in the mid 20^th century.]

   It was a cold day at only 5 above.

9. (biology) On the upper half or the dorsal surface of an animal.

   The sparrow I saw was rufous above and off-white below.

• French: en haut
• German: oben

• French: ci-dessus
• German: früher, vorher
• Portuguese: acima
• Russian: вы́ше
• Spanish: arriba

• French: au-dessus
• German: höher, oben, darüber
• Portuguese: acima, para cima
• Russian: наверху́
• Spanish: arriba

• German: ranghöher, vorgesetzt
• Portuguese: acima

above (not comparable)

1. Of heaven; heavenly. [first attested around (1150 to 1350).]
2. (by ellipsis) Being located higher on the same page or on a preceding page. [first attested in the mid 18^th century.]

• French: ci-dessus

above (uncountable)

1. Heaven. [first attested around 1150–1350]
2. Something, especially a person's name in legal documents, that appears higher on the same page or on a preceding page.
3. Higher authority.
4. (archaic) betterment, raised status or condition.

• abovesaid
• aboves'd

• Russian: вышеупомя́нутый