Preposition / Adverb / Adjective A2 — Elementary /əˈbʌv/

Above — Definition, Examples & Usage

Higher in position, greater in amount, earlier in a text — a small word with a wide range of uses.

Quick Definition

Above means at or to a higher level or position than something else; more than a particular number or amount; earlier in a text or document; or directly overhead. It functions as a preposition (above the clouds), an adverb (look above), and an adjective (the above example).

What Does Above Mean?

Above comes from Old English abufan, a compound of a- (on) and bufan (over, above), itself from Proto-Germanic roots related to up and by. The word has been part of English since before the 12th century and has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning. It is one of the most common prepositions in the language.

In its core spatial sense, above describes a position at a higher level without implying direct contact: a painting above the fireplace. In a quantitative sense, it means exceeding a threshold: above average, above 30 degrees. In academic and formal writing, it often points back to earlier content: as shown in the table above. The adverbial phrase above all — meaning "most importantly" — is especially useful for structuring arguments.

Understanding the difference between above and over is one of the most common preposition challenges for ESL learners. Above tends to describe a static, vertical relationship without contact; over often implies movement, spanning, or covering. Both are correct in many contexts, but they are not always interchangeable.

Example Sentences

SentenceLevel & usage note
The bird flew above the trees and disappeared into the clouds.A2 — spatial preposition, higher position
Look at the example above to see how the grammar rule works.B1 — adverb referring back to earlier text
Temperatures above 35°C can be dangerous for elderly people.B1 — quantitative use, more than a threshold
She was promoted because her performance was well above average.B2 — collocation "above average", formal register
Above all, the report argues that structural reform, not short-term fiscal measures, is the prerequisite for sustainable growth.C1 — "above all" as discourse marker, academic writing

Collocations

CollocationMeaning & example
above averagebetter or higher than the norm — Her test scores are above average.
above allmost importantly — Above all, stay safe.
above sea levelheight measured from the sea surface — The village sits 1,200 metres above sea level.
above boardhonest and legal — The transaction was completely above board.
rise aboveto not be affected by something negative — She managed to rise above the criticism.
far abovemuch higher than — The price is far above what we can afford.
directly aboveexactly overhead — The leak was directly above the kitchen.
well aboveconsiderably more than — Demand was well above expectations.
above the lawnot subject to legal rules — No one is above the law.
from abovefrom a higher position — The instructions came from above.

Usage Notes

  • Above vs over (position): Use above for a static vertical relationship with no contact: a shelf above the desk. Use over when something spans, covers, or moves across: a bridge over the river, she pulled a blanket over her legs.
  • Above vs over (quantity): Both are widely used to mean "more than": above/over 100 people. In formal and technical contexts (temperature, altitude, test scores), above is slightly more common.
  • Adjectival use: Above as an adjective (the above table, the above-mentioned points) is standard in formal and academic writing. In spoken English, prefer the table I mentioned or the points listed earlier.
  • Above all is a fixed adverbial phrase. Place it at the beginning of a clause, followed by a comma: Above all, be kind. It is also common mid-sentence: You must, above all, remain calm.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

The temperature was over the average for this time of year. (ambiguous — could mean "more than" or "covering")

The temperature was above average for this time of year. (above is the natural choice with abstract quantities and benchmarks)

Please see above-mentioned the details in Section 3.

Please see the above-mentioned details in Section 3. (above-mentioned is a compound adjective placed before the noun)

The plane flew above of the clouds.

The plane flew above the clouds. (above is a preposition — never add "of" after it)

Related Words

below over under beyond across around high up

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms (position):

over overhead higher than atop on top of

Antonyms:

below beneath under underneath

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “above”

What does above mean in English?
Above means at a higher level, position, or place than something else. It can also mean more than a particular number or amount ('temperatures above 30°C'), earlier in a text ('as explained above'), or directly overhead ('the sky above'). It works as a preposition, adverb, and adjective.
Is above a preposition or an adverb?
Above can be both. As a preposition it is followed by a noun: 'the lamp above the table'. As an adverb it stands alone without a following noun: 'look above' or 'the clouds above'. It can also be used as an adjective meaning 'mentioned earlier': 'the above information'.
What is the difference between above and over?
Both above and over can describe a higher position, but there are differences. Above suggests a static position higher than something else without necessarily implying contact or movement: 'the shelf above the desk'. Over often implies movement across, covering, or a spanning relationship: 'she jumped over the fence' or 'a bridge over the river'. With numbers, both can mean 'more than', though over is more common in everyday speech.
Can above be used as an adjective?
Yes. Above is used as an adjective in formal and written English to mean 'mentioned earlier in this text': 'Please refer to the above example.' You will see this most often in academic writing, legal documents, and instructions. In everyday speech, 'the example I mentioned' is more natural.
What are common collocations with above?
Common collocations include: above average, above sea level, above the law, rise above, far above, above all, above board, from above, directly above, and well above. The phrase 'above all' means 'most importantly' and is very useful in formal writing.
What does above all mean?
'Above all' is an adverbial phrase meaning 'most importantly' or 'more than anything else'. It is used to emphasise the most significant point in a list or argument. Example: 'Be honest, be kind, but above all be patient.' It is very common in both formal writing and everyday speech.
What is the opposite of above?
The opposite of above as a preposition or adverb is below or beneath. Below is the most direct antonym: 'above the line' vs 'below the line'. Beneath is slightly more formal or literary. Under is also used as an antonym but often implies direct contact or coverage: 'under the table'.
How do you use above in academic writing?
In academic writing, above is used as an adverb or adjective to refer back to earlier content: 'as shown in the table above', 'the above findings suggest…', 'see the diagram above'. It helps create cohesion by linking sections of text. Avoid overusing it — if the reference is to a distant section, a more specific phrase such as 'as discussed in Section 2' is clearer.
What is the etymology of above?
Above comes from Old English 'abufan', a compound of 'a-' (on) and 'bufan' (over, above), which itself derives from Proto-Germanic roots related to 'up' and 'by'. The word has been part of English since before the 12th century and has changed little in meaning over time, consistently expressing the concept of a higher position.
How can I practise using above in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise above in context, or use Flash Cards to test prepositions and adverbs including above, below, over, and under. Pay particular attention to the above / over distinction, which is a very common point of confusion for ESL learners.