I. a ‧ bove 1 S2 W1 /əˈbʌv/ BrE AmE adverb , preposition
1 . in a higher position than something else SYN over OPP below :
Our office is above the hairdresser’s.
He had a bruise just above his left eye.
I heard a strange noise coming from the room above.
The great bird hovered high above our heads.
2 . more than a particular number, amount, or level OPP below :
50 metres above sea level
above freezing/zero (=higher than the temperature at which water freezes)
Tonight, temperatures should be just above freezing.
and/or above
free medical care for pensioners aged 65 and above
Prize winners must have gained marks of 80% or above.
The salaries we offer are well above (=much higher than) average.
3 . to a greater degree than something else:
Many employers value personality above experience or qualifications.
above all (else) (=used to say that something is more important than anything else)
Max is hard-working, cheerful, and above all honest.
medals awarded for bravery above and beyond the call of duty (=greater than it is your duty to show)
4 . louder or clearer than other sounds:
You can always hear her voice above everybody else’s.
5 . higher in rank, power, or importance OPP below :
He never rose above the rank of corporal.
and/or above
officers of the rank of Major and above
from above (=from people in higher authority)
We just obey orders from above.
6 . formal before, in the same piece of writing OPP below :
As mentioned above, there is a service charge.
Write to the address above for further information.
7 . not be above (doing) something to not be too good or honest to do something:
Eileen’s not above flirting with the boss when it suits her.
8 . be above suspicion/reproach/criticism etc to be so good that no one can doubt or criticize you:
Even the king’s closest advisers were not above suspicion.
9 . get above yourself to think you are better or more important than you really are
⇨ over and above at ↑ over 1 (14), ⇨ be above the law at ↑ law (13)
II. above 2 W3 BrE AmE adjective
a) [only before noun] used in a piece of writing to refer to something mentioned in an earlier part of the same piece of writing:
For the above reasons, the management has no choice but to close the factory.
b) the above formal something mentioned before in the same piece of writing:
If none of the above applies to you, you may be able to reclaim tax.