2 syllables: A, bove. Stress on bove.
uh-BUHV
/əˈbʌv/
Above is pronounced uh-BUHV (/əˈbʌv/). It has two syllables (A-bove), with the stress on "bove". Above is an adverb meaning at a higher position or level than something else; also used to indicate earlier in a text or comparison. It can function as a preposition in some cases, or as an adjective in phrases like above-mentioned. In everyday speech, it often signals superiority of position or degree and can carry a slightly formal or written tone depending on context.
adverbAbove is an adverb meaning at a higher position or level than something else; also used to indicate earlier in a text or comparison. It can function as a preposition in some cases, or as an adjective in phrases like above-mentioned. In everyday speech, it often signals superiority of position or degree and can carry a slightly formal or written tone depending on context.
How to Pronounce Above
"The picture is hanging above the fireplace."
"Prices rose above last year’s levels."
"In the diagram, point A is above point B."
Pronounce as ə-ˈbəv with two syllables and main stress on the second syllable. The first vowel is a relaxed schwa; the r-colored quality is not present in US standard here. Use /ə/ for the first vowel and /ˈbʌv/ (or /ˈbɒv/ in some accents) for the stressed syllable, then connect smoothly. Audio reference: listen to a standard pronunciation on Forvo or Cambridge dictionary entries and mimic the mouth opening and the slight vowel reduction before the /b/ cluster.
Common errors include pronouncing it as a single syllable (a-bove) instead of two, or over-articulating the second syllable as /ˈbeɪv/ like 'beave'. Another frequent misstep is inaccurate vowel quality in the second syllable, producing /ˈbuːv/ or /ˈbɒv/ in flatter vowels. Correction: keep the first syllable as /ə/ and place primary stress on /bʌv/, ensuring a short, clipped second vowel; practice with minimal pairs to separate schwa from full vowels.
In US, UK, and AU, the word maintains /əˈbʌv/ with two syllables, but the quality of the reduced first vowel and the second vowel can vary slightly: US tends to a lighter, more centralized /ə/ and a shorter /ʌ/; UK can have a slightly more rounded /ə/ and a crisp /ʌ/; AU often shifts toward a broader, slightly longer /ə/ with a touch more vowel length. All share primary stress on the second syllable, but rhoticity is minimal in all three. Listen to region-specific recordings to fine-tune.
The difficulty centers on two aspects: the two-syllable rhythm with a distinct secondary structure and the vowel reduction in the first syllable. The first syllable uses a weak /ə/; the second uses a short /ʌ/ that can be mispronounced as /uː/ or /æ/. Additionally, the transition from schwa to the voiced bilabial /b/ needs a short, crisp release. Focus on stress timing and the precise mouth positions for /ə/ and /ˈbʌv/.
A unique facet is the contrastive two-syllable structure with a relatively strong second syllable, which makes the word feel like a clipped, punctual assertion in speech. The first syllable remains unstressed and reduced, while the second syllable houses the ternary /bʌv/ cluster. Practicing with phrases like “above all” helps you anchor the line between reserved and emphatic pronunciation, preserving its meaning in context.
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Above comes from Middle English aboven, from Old English abufan, formed with the prefix a- (on, at) + bufan (above, over), related to Old High German ubaban and Dutch boven. The sense evolved from literally ‘on top of’ to broader figurative uses such as ‘in a higher position or rank’ and later to indicate textual references (as noted above). The spelling stabilized in Middle English, aligning with other prepositional forms ending in -ove or -ove-like pronunciations, though the vowel quality shifted with the Great Vowel Shift and later standardization. First known uses appear in early Middle English legal and descriptive prose, with progressive frequency in the 15th–16th centuries as English syntax expanded and written references proliferated. Today, above remains a versatile adverb/preposition/adjective, used in spatial, temporal, comparative, and referential contexts. The word’s emotional emphasis—often signaling superiority or emphasis—derives from its core meaning of being at a higher position, which naturally lends itself to metaphorical uses in discourse, rhetoric, and literature.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Above" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Above" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Above" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Above"
-ove sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
-US: rhoticless influence; /əˈbʌv/ with light schwa and crisp /v/; can be reduced in fast speech. -UK: slightly more open /ʌ/ and crisper /v/; vowel quality slightly tenser; less reduction in careful speech. -AU: two-syllable, with a more relaxed /ə/ and a slightly longer /ʌ/; subtle vowel shift toward centralization; keep two syllables.
