above

a|bove [ ə`bʌv ] function word ***

Above can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun):

The birds were flying high above the trees.

as an adverb (without a following noun):

She stared up at the stars above.

as an adjective:

Please reply to the above address.

1. ) used for saying where someone/something is

a ) at a higher level than something or directly over it:

We lived in the room above the store.

Curran's leg was broken above the right knee.

the snow-covered hills above the village

b ) in an earlier part of a piece of writing or higher up a page:

Many of the documents mentioned above are now available on the Internet.

David and Brenda Mitchell, pictured above, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last weekend.

Interviews will be held at the above address on December 2.

2. ) higher in amount or standard

a ) more than a particular number, amount, or level:

The company's profits were 23% above the previous year's.

Temperatures climbed to 98 degrees Fahrenheit 10 degrees above normal.

b ) better than a particular standard:

In most subjects the students scored well above average.

3. ) more than anything else

a ) used for saying that something is considered more valuable or more important than other things:

In their society, honesty was prized above all other virtues.

We value our independence above anything that you can offer us.

b ) above all used for referring to something that is more important than any of the other things you could mention:

He will be remembered above all as a loving husband and family man.

above all else: Above all else, the government must keep the promises it has made.

c ) love/hate/fear something above anything to love/hate/fear something more than anything else:

Don't let them take the children away I fear that above anything.

4. ) with a higher rank used for saying that someone's rank is higher or their job is more important than someone else's:

As a major, Stuart was a rank above me, but we remained good friends.

5. ) louder or higher than another sound if you can hear one sound above other sounds, it is louder or higher than the other sounds:

Bret shouted, but it was impossible to make himself heard above all the noise.

6. ) too good or proud to do something

a ) if you are above a particular type of behavior, you are such a morally good person that you would not behave in that way:

Jack was cheating? I thought he was above that sort of thing.

b ) not be above doing something to not be too proud to do something:

Mrs. Harrington was not above helping with the housework when necessary.

above and beyond

apart from something, or outside the normal range of something:

The agency is asking for $2 million above and beyond the $16 million it has already been given.

Rescue teams had worked above and beyond the call of duty during the hurricane.

get above yourself BRITISH

to start to think that you are more important than you really are:

Ever since they made her assistant manager, she's been getting above herself.