Above — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb preposition noun adjective /ə-ˈbəv/

Meaning & Definition of Above

Above (adverb)

  1. in the sky, overhead
  2. in or to heaven
  3. in or to a higher place

Above (preposition)

  1. in or to a higher place than, over
  2. upriver of
  3. superior to (as in rank, quality, or degree)

Above (noun)

  1. something that is above
  2. a person whose name is written above
  3. a higher authority

Above (adjective)

  1. written or discussed higher on the same page or on a preceding page

Above (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. higher than

    "one minute our kite was above the telephone wires; the next minute it was tangled in them"

    similar: over
    related: atop
    opposite: below, beneath, under

Above (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to or in a higher place

    "we eventually got used to the planes constantly flying above"

    similar: aloft, over, overhead
    related: skyward, upward
    opposite: below, beneath, under

Above (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a dwelling place of perfect happiness for the soul after death

    "in her dying days she was supposedly visited by an angel from above"

Above (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in such, aforementioned

Related Entry: Over and above (preposition)

Over and above is a different word from Above. The synonyms below are for over and above, not for above.

  1. in addition to

    "we'll need another gallon of milk over and above what we already have"

    related: plus, including

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Above

The most common words with a similar meaning to Above:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Above

Words with the opposite meaning of Above:

Near Antonyms of Above

Origin & Etymology of Above

Middle English above, aboven, going back to Old English abufan, from a- a-:1 + bufan "above" (akin to Old Saxon bi-oƀan, Middle Dutch bōven, Old Frisian bova, Middle High German bobene), from be- be- + ufan "above, from above," going back to Germanic *uban- (whence Old Saxon oƀana "from above," Old High German obana), from *ub- "above, on" + *-an-, adverbial suffix over:1

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Above

  • Topics: Grammar Function Words

Words & Phrases Containing Above

Frequently Asked Questions about Above

What does "Above" mean?

"Above" means in the sky, overhead. As an an adverb, a preposition, a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: in the sky, overhead. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Above"?

Other words for "Above" include over, aloft, overhead, bliss, elysian fields, Elysium, empyrean and heaven. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Above" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Above"?

There are 43 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Above". Common alternatives include over, aloft, overhead, bliss, elysian fields, Elysium, empyrean, heaven, kingdom come and New Jerusalem.

What is the opposite of "Above"?

Antonyms of "Above" include below, beneath, under, Gehenna, hell, Pandemonium, perdition and ensuing. Near antonyms include underneath, inferno, limbo and purgatory.

How do you use "Above" in a sentence?

Examples of "Above" in a sentence: "one minute our kite was above the telephone wires; the next minute it was tangled in them"; "we eventually got used to the planes constantly flying above"; "in her dying days she was supposedly visited by an angel from above".

Is "Above" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Above" can be used as an adverb, a preposition, a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Above"?

"Above" is pronounced /ə-ˈbəv/.

What is the origin of the word "Above"?

"Above" comes from Middle English above, aboven, going back to Old English abufan, from a- a-:1 + bufan "above" (akin to Old Saxon bi-oƀan, Middle Dutch bōven, Old Frisian bova, Middle High German bobene), from be- be- + ufan "above, from above," going back to Germanic *uban- (whence Old Saxon oƀana "from above," Old High German obana), from *ub- "above, on" + *-an-, adverbial suffix over:1. First known use: before 12th century.