Oxford Basic American Dictionary

I looked up at the sky above.

My bedroom is above the kitchen.

There is a picture on the wall above the fireplace.

^ANTONYM below 2 more than a number or price

children aged ten and above ^ANTONYM below, under above all

more than any other thing; what is most important He's handsome and intelligent and, above all, he's kind!

a • bridged / s'br^d / adjective

(used about a book) shorter than the original an abridged version of a novel

a • broad / s'brod / adverb

in or to another country She lives abroad.

He plans to spend his junior year studying abroad. a • brupt / s'brApt / adjective

sudden and unexpected an abrupt change of plans

seeming rude and unfriendly

I'm sorry for being so abrupt with you. ► a • brupt • ly / s'brAptli / adverb The conversation ended abruptly.

ab • Sence / 'rebssns / noun [ count, noncount ] a time when a person or thing is not there frequent absences from school due to illness I am doing Julie's job in her absence .

ab • Sent / 'rebssnt / adjective

not there

Taylor was absent from school today.

ab • sent • mind • ed / ^bssnt'maindsd /

adjective

often forgetting or not noticing things, perhaps because you are thinking about something else

Grandma is getting more absentminded as she gets older. ^SYNONYM forgetful

ab • so • lute / 'rebsslut / adjective

complete

I've never played chess before. I'm an absolute beginner. The whole trip was an absolute disaster.

ab .so . lute . ly Ф / 'веЫэДиш_; ^iwiutii /

adverb

1 completely

was absolutely certain that it was her.

(used when you are strongly agreeing with someone) yes; certainly

"It's a good idea, isn't it?" "Oh, absolutely!" ab • SOrb / sb'sorb / verb ( ab . sorbs , ab . sorb . ing , ab . sorbed )

( general science ) to take in something like liquid or heat, and hold it

The dry ground absorbed all the rain.

ab • sorb • ent / sb'sorbsnt / adjective

( general science ) able to take in and hold something, especially liquid an absorbent cloth

ab • sorb • ing / sb'sorbig / adjective

very interesting an absorbing book

ab • stractawЦ / 'rebstrrekt / adjective

about an idea, not a real thing abstract thought

not like a real thing an abstract painting

ab • surd / sb'ssrd / adjective

so silly that it makes you laugh

The guards look absurd in that new uniform.

^SYNONYM ridiculous

a • bun • dant / s'brndsnt / adjective ( formal )

existing in large quantities; more than enough an abundant supply of food

a • bun • dance / s'bAndsns / noun

[ noncount , singular ]

There was an abundance offish near the reef. These flowers grow here in abundance .

a•buse 1 / s'byuz / verb ( a • bus es , a bus . ing,a bused )

to use something in a wrong or bad way The manager often abuses her power.

to treat someone in a cruel or violent way The child had been physically abused.

to say rude things to someone

He said he was verbally abused by the bus driver.

a•buse2 / s'byus / noun

[ noncount , singular ] using something in a wrong or bad way

the dangers of drug abuse an abuse of power

[ noncount ] being cruel or unkind to someone The child had suffered verbal and physical abuse.

[ noncount]rude words

The cab driver shouted abuse at the cyclist. racial abuse