Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If one thing is ~ another one, it is directly over it or higher than it.
He lifted his hands ~ his head...
Apartment 46 was a quiet apartment, unlike the one ~ it...
He was staring into the mirror ~ him.
? below
PREP
•
Above is also an adverb.
A long scream sounded from somewhere ~.
...a picture of the new plane as seen from ~...
? below
ADV: ADV after v, from ADV
2.
In writing, you use ~ to refer to something that has already been mentioned or discussed.
Several conclusions could be drawn from the results described ~...
? below
ADV: ADV after v, n ADV
•
Above is also a noun.
For additional information, contact any of the ~.
N-SING-COLL: the N
•
Above is also an adjective.
For a copy of their brochure, write to the ~ address.
ADJ: ADJ n
3.
If an amount or measurement is ~ a particular level, it is greater than that level.
The temperature crept up to just ~ 40 degrees...
Victoria Falls has had ~ average levels of rainfall this year...
Government spending is planned to rise 3 per cent ~ inflation.
? below
PREP
•
Above is also an adverb.
Banks have been charging 25 percent and ~ for unsecured loans.
ADV: amount and ADV
4.
If you hear one sound ~ another, it is louder or clearer than the second one.
Then there was a woman’s voice, rising shrilly ~ the barking.
= over
PREP
5.
If someone is ~ you, they are in a higher social position than you or in a position of authority over you.
I married ~ myself–rich county people...
? below
PREP
•
Above is also an adverb.
The policemen admitted beating the student, but said they were acting on orders from ~.
ADV: from ADV
6.
If you say that someone thinks they are ~ something, you mean that they act as if they are too good or important for it.
I’m not ~ doing my own cleaning.
PREP disapproval
7.
If someone is ~ criticism or suspicion, they cannot be criticized or suspected because of their good qualities or their position.
He was a respected academic and ~ suspicion.
= beyond
PREP: v-link PREP n
8.
If you value one person or thing ~ any other, you value them more or consider that they are more important.
...his tendency to put the team ~ everything...
PREP
9.
over and ~: see over
~ the law: see law
~ board: see board