above
Meaning
-
- Physically over; on top of; worn on top of, said of clothing.
- In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface.
- Farther north than.
- Rising; appearing out of reach height-wise.
- 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.
- Higher in rank, status, or position.
- In addition to; besides.
- Surpassing in number or quantity; more than.
- In preference to.
- Too proud to stoop to; averse to; disinclined towards;
- Beyond; on the other side.
- Upstage of.
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/əˈbʌv/
Etymology
From Middle English above, aboven, abuven, from Old English ābufan, onbufan, from on (“on”) + bufan (“over”), (akin to Icelandic ofan (“from above”), Middle Dutch bōven, Old Frisian bova, Middle High German bobene) from bī (“by”) + ufan (“over”); also cognate with Danish oven, Dutch boven, German oben, Swedish ovan, Old Saxon oƀan, Old High German obana. The preposition, adjective and the noun derive from the adverb.
Improve your pronunciation
Start learning English with learnfeliz.
Practice speaking and memorizing "above" and many other words and sentences in English.
Go to our English course page