above 1 in a higher position than something: Our office is above the hairdresser's. | Raise your: arms above your head. 2 more than a particular number, amount, or level: 500 feet above sea level | Tonight temperatures should be above freezing. 3 to a greater degree than someone or something else: The management has always valued hard work above good ideas. | above and beyond (=to a much greater degree): bravery above and beyond the call of duty 4 higher in rank, power, or authority: A captain is above a lieutenant. 5 louder or having a higher pitch than other sounds: You can always hear her voice above everybody else's. 6 be above (doing) sth to consider yourself so important that you do not have to do all the things that everyone else has to do: She seems to think she's above doing any housework. | politicians who think they are above the law 7 above suspicion/reproach/criticism etc so good that no one can question or criticize you 8 above all (else) used to emphasize that something is more important than the other things you have already mentioned: Max is fair, hardworking, and above all honest. 9 get above yourself to think you are better or more important than you really are. home