Over vs. Above — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Over typically implies being directly higher or above something, often with a sense of covering or being in motion, whereas above indicates a higher position without suggesting direct contact or covering.
Difference Between Over and Above
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Over often implies a position directly on top of something, covering or overshadowing it, while above suggests a higher position without touching.
Over can indicate movement across a space, whereas above generally does not imply movement.
Over is used in contexts of control or dominance, while above usually refers to spatial relationships.
Over can also mean more than a certain amount, but above is typically not used in this context.
Over can imply a protective or covering aspect, while above often denotes a mere spatial relationship.
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Comparison Chart
Spatial Relation
Directly on top, sometimes touching.
Higher position, usually not touching.
Movement
Often implies movement across something.
Rarely suggests movement.
Context
Can indicate control, protection, or excess.
Mainly used for spatial relationships.
Quantity
Used to denote more than a specific amount.
Not typically used for quantities.
Connotation
Can imply overshadowing or covering.
Usually just denotes higher positioning.
Compare with Definitions
Over
Across
She jumped over the puddle.
Above
Higher Position
The picture hung above the fireplace.
Over
Exceeding
The crowd was over a thousand.
Above
Superiority
Above all, be honest.
Over
In or at a position above or higher than
A sign over the door.
A hawk gliding over the hills.
Above
Beyond
His performance was above average.
Over
Above and across from one end or side to the other
A jump over the fence.
Above
In extended space over and not touching
A cable runs above the duct
A display of fireworks above the town
Over
To the other side of; across
Strolled over the bridge.
Above
At a higher level or layer than
From his flat above the corner shop
Bruises above both eyes
Over
Across the edge of and down
Fell over the cliff.
Above
Higher than (a specified amount, rate, or norm)
The food was well above average
Above sea level
Over
On the other side of
A village over the border.
Above
At a higher level or layer
Place a quantity of mud in a jar with water above
Over
Upon the surface of
Put a coat of varnish over the woodwork.
Above
On high; overhead
The clouds above.
Over
On top of or down upon
Clubbed him over the head.
Tripped over the toys.
Above
In heaven; heavenward.
Over
Through the extent of; all through
Walked over the grounds.
Looked over the report.
Above
Upstairs
A table in the dining room above.
Over
Through the medium of; via
Addressed us over the loudspeaker.
Can't tell you over the phone.
Above
To a degree that is over zero
15° above.
Over
So as to cover
Put rocks over a cave entrance.
Threw a shawl over her shoulders.
Above
In or to a higher place.
Over
Up to or higher than the level or height of
The water was over my shoulders.
Above
In an earlier part of a given text
"Unlike the species discussed above, bees, ants, and wasps don't make males and females using combinations of special sex chromosomes" (Marlene Zuk).
Over
Through the period or duration of
Records maintained over two years.
Above
In or to a higher rank or position
The ranks of major and above.
Over
Until or beyond the end of
Stayed over the holidays.
Above
Over or higher than
A cool spring above the timberline.
Over
More than in degree, quantity, or extent
Over ten miles.
Over a thousand dollars.
Above
Superior to in rank, position, or number; greater than
Put principles above expediency.
Over
In superiority to
Won a narrow victory over her rival.
A distinct advantage over our competitors.
Above
Beyond the level or reach of
A shot that was heard above the music.
Over
In preference to
Selected him over all the others.
Above
In preference to
Chose quality above quantity.
Over
In a position to rule or control
The director presides over the meeting. There is no one over him in the department.
Above
Too honorable or proud to undertake
I am not above trying to bribe you. Do you think you are above bagging your own groceries?.
Over
So as to have an effect or influence on
The change that came over you.
Above
More than
Somewhat above normal temperature.
Over
At a point at which one is no longer troubled by
I'm not quite over the cold I caught last week.
Above
Upstream of
A dam positioned ten miles above the town.
Over
While occupied with or engaged in
A chat over coffee.
Above
North of
Minnesota is above Iowa.
Over
With reference to; concerning
An argument over methods.
Above
An earlier part of a given text
Refer to the above for that information.
Over
Above the top or surface
Climbed the ladder and peered over.
Above
The person or persons already referred to in a text
The above hereby affix their signatures.
Over
Across to another or opposite side
Stopped at the curb, then crossed over.
Above
Appearing earlier in the same text
Flaws in the above interpretation.
Over
Across the edge, brink, or brim
The coffee spilled over.
Above
Physically over; on top of; worn on top of, said of clothing.
He always put his coat on above his sweater.
Over
Across an intervening space
Throw the ball over.
Above
In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface.
Over
Across a distance in a particular direction or at a location
Lives over in England.
Above
Farther north than.
Idaho is above Utah.
Over
To another often specified place or position
Move your chair over toward the fire.
Above
Rising; appearing out of reach height-wise.
Over
To one's place of residence or business
Invited us over for cocktails.
Above
(figuratively) Higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; higher in measure, degree, volume, or pitch, etc. than; out of reach; not exposed to; not likely to be affected by; incapable of negative actions or thoughts.
Even the chief of police is not above suspicion.
He was always above reproach.
I thought you said you were above these kinds of antics.
That's above my comprehension.
To cut above average
Over
Throughout an entire area or region
Wandered all over.
Above
Higher in rank, status, or position.
To stand head and shoulders above the rest
Over
To a different opinion or allegiance
Win someone over.
Above
(Scotland) In addition to; besides.
Above and beyond the call of duty
Over and above
Over
So as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or effective; across
Eventually got my point over.
Above
Surpassing in number or quantity; more than.
That amount is way above our asking price.
Over
To a different person, condition, or title
Sign the property over.
Above
In preference to.
Over
So as to be completely enclosed or covered
The river froze over. Engineers sealed the tunnel entrance over.
Above
Too proud to stoop to; averse to; disinclined towards;
The owner was above taking more than a token salary.
Over
Completely through; from beginning to end
Think the problem over. Let's read the memo over.
Above
Beyond; on the other side.
Over
From an upright position
Kicked the bookstand over.
Above
(theater) Upstage of.
Over
From an upward position to an inverted or reversed position
Turn the paper over.
Above
Directly overhead; vertically on top of.
Over
Another time; again
Counted his cards over.
Had to do it over.
Above
Higher in the same page; earlier in the order as far as writing products go.
Over
In repetition
Made me write it ten times over.
Above
Into or from heaven; in the sky.
He's in a better place now, floating free as the clouds above.
Over
In addition or excess; in surplus
Lots of food left over.
Above
In a higher place; upstairs; farther upstream.
Over
Beyond or until a specified time
Stay a day over.
Above
Higher in rank, power, or position.
He appealed to the court above.
Over
At an end
Summer is over.
Above
(archaic) In addition.
Over
A series of six balls bowled from one end of a cricket pitch.
Above
More in number.
Over
To jump over
Horse and rider overed the stile with ease.
Above
Above zero; above freezing.
It was a cold day at only 5 above.
Over
Used in two-way radio to indicate that a transmission is complete and a reply is awaited.
Above
(biology) On the upper half or the dorsal surface of an animal.
The sparrow I saw was rufous above and off-white below.
Over
Discontinued; ended or concluded.
The show is over.
Above
Of heaven; heavenly.
Over
Thoroughly; completely; from beginning to end.
Let's talk over the project at tomorrow's meeting.
Let me think that over.
I'm going to look over our department's expenses.
Above
(by ellipsis) Being located higher on the same page or on a preceding page.
Over
(often in compounds) To an excessive degree; overly.
Above
Heaven.
Over
From an upright position to a horizontal one.
He tipped the bottle over, and the water came gushing out.
That building just fell over!
He bent over to touch his toes.
Above
Something, especially a person's name in legal documents, that appears higher on the same page or on a preceding page.
Over
Horizontally; left to right or right to left.
Slide the toilet-paper dispenser's door over when one roll is empty in order to reveal the other.
I moved over to make room for him to sit down.
Above
Higher authority.
Over
From one side of something to another, passing above it.
The fence is too high. I don't think I'll be able to get over.
Above
(archaic) betterment, raised status or condition.
Over
From one position or state to another.
Please pass that over to me.
He came over to our way of thinking on the new project.
Come over and play!
I'll bring over a pizza.
Above
In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; - opposed to below or beneath.
Fowl that may fly above the earth.
Over
Overnight throughout the night.
We stayed over at Grandma's.
Can I sleep over?
Above
Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach.
I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun.
Over
Again; another time; once more; over again.
I lost my paper and I had to do the entire assignment over.
Above
In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above.
Over
(cricket) A set of six legal balls bowled.
Above
Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page.
Over
Any surplus amount of money, goods delivered, etc.
Above
Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above.
Over
A shore, riverbank.
The sea's over.
Above
More than; as, above five hundred were present.
Over
Expressing spatial relationship.
Above
Appearing earlier in the same text;
Flaws in the above interpretation
Over
On top of; above; higher than; further up.
Hold the sign up over your head.
Above
At an earlier place;
See above
Over
Across or spanning.
There is a bridge over the river.
I looked out over the sea.
Above
In or to a place that is higher
Over
In such a way as to cover.
Drape the fabric over the table.
There is a roof over the house.
Above
In Text
Refer to the above diagram.
Over
From one physical position to another via an obstacle that must be traversed vertically, first upwards and then downwards.
The dog jumped over the fence.
I'll go over [the fence] first and then help you.
Let's walk over the hill to get there.
Above
Skyward
Look above at the stars.
Over
Expressing comparison.
Over
More than; to a greater degree.
I prefer the purple over the pink.
Over
Beyond; past; exceeding; too much or too far.
I think I’m over my limit for calories for today.
Over
(in certain collocations) As compared to.
Sales are down this quarter over last.
Over
Indicating relative status, authority, or power
The owner's son lorded it over the experienced managers.
The prince ruled over a portion of the kingdom.
Over
(mathematics) Divided by.
Two over six equals one over three.
Over
(poker) Separates the three of a kind from the pair in a full house.
9♦9♠9♣6♥6♠ = nines over sixes
Over
Finished with; done with; from one state to another via a hindrance that must be solved or defeated; or via a third state that represents a significant difference from the first two.
We got over the engineering problems and the prototype works great.
I am over my cold and feel great again.
I know the referee made a bad call, but you have to get over it [your annoyance with the referee's decision].
She is finally over [the distress of] losing her job.
He is finally over his [distress over the loss of the relationship with his] ex-girlfriend.
Over
While using, especially while consuming.
Over
Concerning or regarding.
The two boys had a fight over whose girlfriend was the best.
Over
Above, implying superiority after a contest; in spite of; notwithstanding.
We triumphed over difficulties.
The bill was passed over the veto.
It was a fine victory over their opponents.
Over
A radio procedure word meaning that the station is finished with its transmission and is expecting a response.
Bravo Six, this is Bravo Six Four. Stand by for ten mike report one dash three, over.
Bravo Six Four, this is Bravo Six Actual. Send your traffic, over.
How do you receive? Over!
Over
To go over, or jump over.
He overed the fence in good style.
Over
To run about.
The cattle have been overing all day because of the flies.
Over
Above, or higher than, in place or position, with the idea of covering; - opposed to under; as, clouds are over our heads; the smoke rises over the city.
The mercy seat that is over the testimony.
Over them gleamed far off the crimson banners of morning.
Over
Across; from side to side of; - implying a passing or moving, either above the substance or thing, or on the surface of it; as, a dog leaps over a stream or a table.
Certain lakes . . . poison birds which fly over them.
Over
Upon the surface of, or the whole surface of; hither and thither upon; throughout the whole extent of; as, to wander over the earth; to walk over a field, or over a city.
Over
Above; - implying superiority in excellence, dignity, condition, or value; as, the advantages which the Christian world has over the heathen.
Over
Above in authority or station; - implying government, direction, care, attention, guard, responsibility, etc.; - opposed to under.
Thou shalt be over my house.
I will make thee rules over many things.
Dost thou not watch over my sin ?
His tender mercies are over all his works.
Over
Across or during the time of; from beginning to end of; as, to keep anything over night; to keep corn over winter.
Over
Above the perpendicular height or length of, with an idea of measurement; as, the water, or the depth of water, was over his head, over his shoes.
Over
Beyond; in excess of; in addition to; more than; as, it cost over five dollars.
Over
Above, implying superiority after a contest; in spite of; notwithstanding; as, he triumphed over difficulties; the bill was passed over the veto.
Over
From one side to another; from side to side; across; crosswise; as, a board, or a tree, a foot over, i. e., a foot in diameter.
Over
From one person or place to another regarded as on the opposite side of a space or barrier; - used with verbs of motion; as, to sail over to England; to hand over the money; to go over to the enemy.
Over
From beginning to end; throughout the course, extent, or expanse of anything; as, to look over accounts, or a stock of goods; a dress covered over with jewels.
Over
From inside to outside, above or across the brim.
Good measure, pressed down . . . and running over.
Over
Beyond a limit; hence, in excessive degree or quantity; superfluously; with repetition; as, to do the whole work over.
He that gathered much had nothing over.
Over
In a manner to bring the under side to or towards the top; as, to turn (one's self) over; to roll a stone over; to turn over the leaves; to tip over a cart.
Over
Completed; at an end; beyond the limit of continuance; finished; as, when will the play be over?.
Over
Excessively; too much or too greatly; - chiefly used in composition; as, overwork, overhasty, overeager, overanxious, overreact, overcook.
Over
Upper; covering; higher; superior; - chiefly used in composition; as, overshoes, overcoat, over-garment, overlord.
Over
Excessive; too much or too great; - chiefly used in composition; as, overwork, overhaste, overreaction.
Over
A certain number of balls (usually four) delivered successively from behind one wicket, after which the ball is bowled from behind the other wicket as many times, the fielders changing places.
Over
(cricket) the period during which a given number of balls (6 in England but 8 in Australia) are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
Over
Having come or been brought to a conclusion;
The harvesting was complete
The affair is over, ended, finished
The abruptly terminated interview
Over
At or to a point across intervening space etc.;
Come over and see us some time
Over there
Over
Throughout an area;
He is known the world over
Over
In such a manner as to be understood and accepted;
She cannot get her ideas across
Over
Throughout a period of time;
Stay over the weekend
Over
Directly Above
The plane flew over the city.
Over
Dominance
He has authority over the team.
Over
Covering
Place a cloth over the dough.
Common Curiosities
Can over imply control?
Yes, over can imply control or dominance in some contexts.
Is over used in measurements?
Yes, over is used to indicate exceeding a certain measurement.
What does over mean?
Over generally indicates a position higher than something else, often directly on top.
Can over suggest movement?
Yes, over can suggest movement across a space.
Is over used for covering something?
Yes, over can imply covering or protecting something.
What does above mean?
Above denotes a higher position but usually not in direct contact.
Is above used for quantities?
Above is not typically used to denote quantities.
Does above always mean physically higher?
Above often means physically higher, but it can also be used metaphorically.
Can over be used in sports?
Yes, over can describe actions in sports, like jumping over.
Can above be used in directions?
Yes, above can be used to give spatial directions.
Can above imply superiority?
Above can imply superiority or importance in some contexts.
Is above used in formal writing?
Above is often used in formal writing, especially referring to previous text.
Does above suggest direct contact?
No, above usually indicates a position higher without touching.
Does over have multiple meanings?
Yes, over can have several meanings, including spatial, quantitative, and metaphorical.
Do over and above have similar uses?
They have similar uses in spatial contexts, but over has more varied applications.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
