Pronunciation: /əˈbʌv ˈwɔːtər/
adjective describing the state of being above the surface of water
A1 The boat stayed above water during the storm.
A2 The swimmer struggled to stay above water in the rough sea.
B1 The company managed to stay above water despite the economic downturn.
B2 The business was barely staying above water until they secured a new investor.
C1 The government's financial policies helped keep the economy above water during the recession.
C2 The organization's innovative strategies kept them above water in a competitive market.
adverb modifying a verb or adjective to indicate being in a position higher than the surface of water
A1 The duck swam above water.
A2 She managed to keep her head above water during the difficult times.
B1 The company is struggling to stay above water financially.
B2 The athlete's performance was above water compared to his previous races.
C1 Her grades in school are consistently above water, earning her a spot on the honor roll.
C2 The author's latest novel has kept her reputation above water in the literary world.
formal The company managed to stay above water during the economic downturn.
informal I'm just trying to keep my head above water with all these assignments.
slang I'm barely staying afloat with all these bills, just trying to stay above water.
figurative After the storm passed, the town was finally able to come up for air and stay above water.
was above water
above waters
more above water
most above water
is above water
will be above water
has been above water
is being above water
above water
above water
to be above water
being above water
above water