Up vs. Above — What's the Difference?

In or to a higher position

In extended space over and not touching

In a direction opposite to the center of the earth or a comparable gravitational center

At a higher level or layer than

In or to an upright position

Higher than (a specified amount, rate, or norm)

Above a surface

At a higher level or layer

So as to detach or unearth

On high; overhead

Above the horizon

In heaven; heavenward.

Into view or existence

Upstairs

Into consideration

To a degree that is over zero

In or toward a position conventionally regarded as higher, as on a scale, chart, or map

In or to a higher place.

To or at a higher price

In an earlier part of a given text

So as to advance, increase, or improve

In or to a higher rank or position

With or to a greater intensity, pitch, or volume

Over or higher than

Into a state of excitement or turbulence

Superior to in rank, position, or number; greater than

Completely; entirely

Beyond the level or reach of

Used as an intensifier of the action of a verb

In preference to

So as to approach; near

Too honorable or proud to undertake

To a stop

More than

Each; apiece

Upstream of

Apart; into pieces

North of

(Nautical) To windward.

An earlier part of a given text

Being above a former position or level; higher

The person or persons already referred to in a text

Out of bed

Appearing earlier in the same text

Standing; erect.

Physically over; on top of; worn on top of, said of clothing.

Facing upward

In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface.

Raised; lifted

Farther north than.

Moving or directed upward

Rising; appearing out of reach height-wise.

Marked by increased excitement or agitation; aroused

(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.

(Informal) Cheerful; optimistic; upbeat.

Higher in rank, status, or position.

(Slang) Happily excited; euphoric

(Scotland) In addition to; besides.

(Informal) Taking place; going on

Surpassing in number or quantity; more than.

Being considered; under study

In preference to.

Running as a candidate.

Too proud to stoop to; averse to; disinclined towards;

On trial; charged

Beyond; on the other side.

Having been finished; over

(theater) Upstage of.

Prepared; ready

Directly overhead; vertically on top of.

Well informed; abreast

Higher in the same page; earlier in the order as far as writing products go.

Functioning or capable of functioning normally; operational

Into or from heaven; in the sky.

(Sports) Being ahead or at a numerical advantage over one's opponent

In a higher place; upstairs; farther upstream.

(Baseball) At bat.

Higher in rank, power, or position.

As a bet; at stake.

(archaic) In addition.

(Nautical) Bound; headed

More in number.

From a lower to or toward a higher point on

Above zero; above freezing.

Toward or at a point farther along

(biology) On the upper half or the dorsal surface of an animal.

In a direction toward the source of

Of heaven; heavenly.

(Nautical) Against

(by ellipsis) Being located higher on the same page or on a preceding page.

An upward slope; a rise.

Heaven.

An upward movement or trend.

Something, especially a person's name in legal documents, that appears higher on the same page or on a preceding page.

(Slang) A feeling of excitement or euphoria.

Higher authority.

To increase

(archaic) betterment, raised status or condition.

To raise to a higher level, especially to promote to a higher position.

In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; - opposed to below or beneath.

(Nautical) To raise

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.

To get up; rise.

In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above.

Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.

Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page.

To or at a physically higher or more elevated position.

Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above.

To a higher level of some quantity or notional quantity, such as price, volume, pitch, happiness, etc.

More than; as, above five hundred were present.

To or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, etc.; usually followed by to or with.

Appearing earlier in the same text;

(intensifier) Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state; thoroughly, completely.

At an earlier place;

To or from one's possession or consideration.

In or to a place that is higher

North.

Towards or at a central place, or any place that is visualised as 'up' by virtue of local features or local convention, or arbitrarily, irrespective of direction or elevation change.

(rail transport) Towards the principal terminus, towards milepost zero.

Aside or away, so as no longer to be present or in use.

(sailing) Against the wind or current.

(Cartesian graph) In a positive vertical direction.

(cricket) Relatively close to the batsman.

Without additional ice.

To university, especially to Cambridge or Oxford.

Toward the top of.

Toward the center, source, or main point of reference; toward the end at which something is attached.

From south to north of.

Further along (in any direction).

From the mouth towards the source of (a river or waterway).

Of a man: having sex with.

(colloquial) At (a given place, especially one imagined to be higher or more distant from a central location).

Facing upwards.

On or at a physically higher level.

Headed or designated to go upward (as an escalator, stairway, elevator etc.) or toward (as a run-up).

Fitted or fixed at a high or relatively high position, especially on a wall or ceiling.

(by extension) Available to view or use; made public; posted.

Aloft.

Raised; lifted.

Built, constructed.

Standing; upright.

(obsolete) Risen up, rebelling, in revolt.

Awake and out of bed.

(horse-racing) Riding the horse; mounted.

(of the sun or moon) Above the horizon, in the sky.

Larger; greater in quantity, volume, value etc.

Indicating a larger or higher quantity.

Ahead; leading; winning.

Finished, to an end

In a good mood.

(usually in the phrase up for) Willing; ready.

Next in a sequence.

(not used attributively) Happening; new; of concern. See also what's up, what's up with.

Said of the higher-ranking pair in a two pair.

Well-informed; current.

(computing) Functional; working.

(of a railway line or train) Traveling towards a major terminus.

Chilled and served without ice.

(slang) Erect. en

Well-known; renowned

(uncountable) The direction opposed to the pull of gravity.

(countable) A positive thing, or a time or situation when things are going well.

(particle physics) An up quark.

An upstairs room of a two story house.

To physically raise or lift.

To increase the level or amount of.

To promote.

To rise to a standing position; hence, by extension, to act suddenly; see also up and.

To ascend; to climb up.

To upload.

Aloft; on high; in a direction contrary to that of gravity; toward or in a higher place or position; above; - the opposite of down.

From a lower to a higher position, literally or figuratively; as, from a recumbent or sitting position; from the mouth, toward the source, of a river; from a dependent or inferior condition; from concealment; from younger age; from a quiet state, or the like; - used with verbs of motion expressed or implied.

In a higher place or position, literally or figuratively; in the state of having arisen; in an upright, or nearly upright, position; standing; mounted on a horse; in a condition of elevation, prominence, advance, proficiency, excitement, insurrection, or the like; - used with verbs of rest, situation, condition, and the like; as, to be up on a hill; the lid of the box was up; prices are up.

To or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, or the like; - usually followed by to or with; as, to be up to the chin in water; to come up with one's companions; to come up with the enemy; to live up to engagements.

To or in a state of completion; completely; wholly; quite; as, in the phrases to eat up; to drink up; to burn up; to sum up; etc.; to shut up the eyes or the mouth; to sew up a rent.

Aside, so as not to be in use; as, to lay up riches; put up your weapons.

From a lower to a higher place on, upon, or along; at a higher situation upon; at the top of.

From the coast towards the interior of, as a country; from the mouth towards the source of, as a stream; as, to journey up the country; to sail up the Hudson.

Upon.

The state of being up or above; a state of elevation, prosperity, or the like; - rarely occurring except in the phrase ups and downs.

Inclining up; tending or going up; upward; as, an up look; an up grade; the up train.

Raise;

Being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level;

Getting higher or more vigorous;

Extending or moving toward a higher place;

(usually followed by `on' or `for') in readiness;

Open;

(used of computers) operating properly;

Used up;

Out of bed;

Spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position;

To a higher intensity;

Nearer to the speaker;

To a more central or a more northerly place;

To a later time;