2above preposition
1 : in or to a higher place than (something) : over
▪ He raised his arms above his head. ▪ They hung a mirror above the mantel. ▪ We rented an apartment above a restaurant. — opposite below 2 : greater in number, quantity, or size than (something) : more than (something)
▪ Temperatures were above average all week. ▪ men above 50 years old — opposite below 3 a : to a greater degree or extent than (something)
▪ She values her private time above her fame.
b : in a higher or more important position than (something)
▪ He puts his child's needs above his own. — opposite below 4 : having more importance or power than (someone) : having a higher rank than (someone)
▪ A captain is above a lieutenant. [=a captain outranks a lieutenant] ▪ Who is above him in that department? — opposite below 5 : too important for (something) : not able to be affected by (something)
▪ She thinks that she's above criticism/suspicion. [=that she cannot be criticized/suspected] — see also above the law at law 6 : too good for (some type of behavior, work, etc.)
▪ I thought you were above lying to people. [=I thought such dishonest behavior was beneath you] ▪ He was not above cheating when it served his purposes. [=he would cheat when it served his purposes] ▪ Does she think she's above that kind of work? [=does she think that kind of work is beneath her?] 7 : more loudly and clearly than (another sound)
▪ I heard the whistle above [=over] the roar of the crowd.
▪ He raised his arms above his head. ▪ They hung a mirror above the mantel. ▪ We rented an apartment above a restaurant. — opposite below
▪ Temperatures were above average all week. ▪ men above 50 years old — opposite below
▪ She values her private time above her fame.
b : in a higher or more important position than (something)
▪ He puts his child's needs above his own. — opposite below
▪ A captain is above a lieutenant. [=a captain outranks a lieutenant] ▪ Who is above him in that department? — opposite below
▪ She thinks that she's above criticism/suspicion. [=that she cannot be criticized/suspected] — see also above the law at law
▪ I thought you were above lying to people. [=I thought such dishonest behavior was beneath you] ▪ He was not above cheating when it served his purposes. [=he would cheat when it served his purposes] ▪ Does she think she's above that kind of work? [=does she think that kind of work is beneath her?]
▪ I heard the whistle above [=over] the roar of the crowd.
above all
: as the most important thing : especially
▪ Above all, we must consider what is best for the children.
▪ Above all, we must consider what is best for the children.
above and beyond
: far beyond what is required by (something, such as a duty)
▪ He went above and beyond the call of duty. [=he did more than his duty required him to do]
▪ He went above and beyond the call of duty. [=he did more than his duty required him to do]
get above yourself
chiefly Brit : to think you are more important than you really are
▪ We are pleased by his success, but we worry that he might be getting above himself.
▪ We are pleased by his success, but we worry that he might be getting above himself.
over and above — see 2over
