above
above
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "above" is /əˈbʌv/.
a-: /ə/ (schwa, a mid-central vowel)
-bove: /bʌv/ (b as in "bat", short u as in "but", v as in "van")
Word Form Variations
"Above" does not typically have variations like singular/plural or different verb tenses because it primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or adjective. It doesn't inflect in the same way as nouns or verbs.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Preposition
Definition 1: In a higher place or position than; over.
Synonyms: over, on top of, higher than, superior to
Antonyms: below, beneath, under, underneath
Definition 2: More than; exceeding (a certain amount, level, or standard).
Synonyms: more than, exceeding, greater than, beyond
Antonyms: less than, under, below
Definition 3: Too good or important to be affected by; beyond the reach or influence of.
Synonyms: beyond, untouched by, superior to, exempt from
Antonyms: subject to, vulnerable to, susceptible to
Adverb
Definition 1: At or to a higher place; overhead.
Synonyms: overhead, aloft, upwards, skyward
Antonyms: below, beneath, under, downwards
Definition 2: In or to heaven.
Synonyms: in heaven, in the sky, in the heavens
Antonyms: below (in a spiritual sense), on earth
Definition 3: Earlier in a text or document (referring to something previously mentioned).
Synonyms: previously, earlier, before, formerly
Antonyms: below, later, afterward, subsequently
Adjective
Definition 1: Mentioned or appearing earlier in the same text.
Synonyms: aforementioned, aforesaid, preceding, prior
Antonyms: below, following, subsequent, later
Definition 2: Situated at a higher level; superior.
Synonyms: higher, superior, overhead, elevated
Antonyms: lower, inferior, below, underneath
Examples of Use
Books:
"Only the wisest and most foolish of men never change." (Confucius, Analects, often quoted, demonstrating a philosophical idea above simple understanding).
"The moon, like a ghostly galleon, tossed upon stormy seas, was sailing above the clouds." (Alfred Noyes, The Highwayman, describing physical position).
"She valued honesty above all else in a friend." (A common phrase in fiction, indicating a priority).
Newspapers:
"Temperatures across the region are expected to remain well above average for this time of year." (Weather report, The New York Times, June 24, 2025, referring to exceeding a standard).
"The city council approved the new zoning regulations, putting community needs above developer profits." (Los Angeles Times, June 23, 2025, indicating a preference or priority).
"For more details, see the article above." (Common in newspaper layouts referring to a preceding text).
Online Publications:
"Our commitment to data privacy is above reproach." (From a tech company's blog post on security, e.g., Google Security Blog, undated, implying a high standard).
"The image above shows the latest prototype of the electric vehicle." (Common in online articles and blogs, referring to a visual element).
"The survey results indicated that customer satisfaction was above 90%." (TechCrunch article on startup success, June 20, 2025, quantifying performance).
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Our enemies are not human. They are a force above our understanding." (Line from a science fiction film, e.g., Arrival, 2016, suggesting something beyond comprehension).
Television: "As mentioned above, the suspect was last seen fleeing the scene in a blue sedan." (Police procedural dialogue, e.g., Law & Order, common phrasing referring to prior information).
Music: "And above the trees, the eagles fly." (Lyric from a folk song, e.g., "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver, describing a physical height).
Video Games: "Your combat ranking is above average." (Feedback in a video game, e.g., Call of Duty, indicating performance level).
Social Media: (Caption for a photo of a mountain range) "Feeling so small yet so grand above it all." (Instagram post, user photo, undated, expressing a feeling of being high up).
General Public Discourse:
"He's a man above suspicion." (Common idiom, implying high moral character).
"Keep your head above water." (Figurative idiom, meaning to manage to survive or cope financially).
"The sky above us is endless." (Casual conversation, referring to physical space).
"We need to rise above these petty arguments." (Used in a discussion about overcoming conflict).
"Is the office above or below the main floor?" (Everyday question about location).
10 Famous Quotes Using Above
"Only the wisest and most foolish of men never change." (Confucius, Analects) - (Often implies being above the need to change or being above the capacity for change.)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." (Edmund Burke) - (Good men must rise above inaction.)
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." (Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken") - (Though not explicitly using "above," the choice implies going above the common path.)
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech) - (Implies rising above prejudice.)
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." (George Orwell, Animal Farm) - (Satirically points to some being placed above others.)
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." (Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizenship in a Republic" speech, 1910) - (Often shortened to "the man in the arena," emphasizing active participation above mere criticism.)
"To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) - (Ponders whether it is nobler to endure or to rise above suffering.)
"Where there is love there is life." (Mahatma Gandhi) - (Can be interpreted as love being above all other virtues for a meaningful life.)
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest) - (Suggests truth is often above easy categorization.)
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton) - (Literally refers to being positioned above previous thinkers to gain a better view.)
Etymology
The word "above" has a pretty ancient history! It comes from Old English, specifically the word "ābufan" or "onbufan."
To break that down, it's essentially a combination of two older words:
"on": This meant "on" or "in" (similar to our modern "on").
"bufan": This meant "over" or "above."
So, think of "above" as originally meaning something like "on over" or "in the upper position."
The very first known uses of "above" go way back to the Old English period, which is before the year 1150. At that time, its main meaning was simply "in or to a higher place," or "directly over."
Over time, the meaning of "above" expanded to include ideas like being "of higher rank" (around the 1200s), "in addition to" (mid-1300s), or "more than" (late 1300s). But its core idea of being higher in position or status has been there from the very beginning.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Above
Above board: Honest and open, without deception.
Above all: Most importantly; pre-eminently.
Above par: Better than average or expected; above the usual standard.
Above one's station: Behaving in a way that suggests a higher social status than one actually has.
Above oneself: Having an excessively high opinion of oneself; arrogant.
To rise above something: To overcome or transcend a difficult situation or negative emotion.
To keep one's head above water: To manage to survive or cope, especially financially, during a difficult period.
To be above suspicion: To be so honorable that one cannot be suspected of wrongdoing.
To be above the law: To consider oneself exempt from the rules or laws that apply to others.
To get above oneself: (Similar to "above oneself") To become arrogant or conceited.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of above from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
