ENGLISH
REFERENCE

above all

fixed phr..
C1 Advanced Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to say that one thing is more important than everything else you have mentioned.

fixed phr.. a discourse marker used to emphasize that a particular point or quality is the most significant among several factors.


SIMPLE

Above all, remember to be kind to yourself.

CONTEXTUAL

The job requires many skills, but above all, you must be a good communicator.

COMPLEX

While the candidate's experience was impressive, the committee valued her integrity above all, noting that trust is the foundation of their corporate culture.

Origin

From Middle English [Term?]. Compare Dutch bovenal (“above all”).

Usage

usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or after a list to highlight the priority item.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'especially' or 'mostly'; 'above all' is more emphatic and often used in concluding remarks or when giving advice.

Pitfall

Above of all, stay safe.Above all, stay safe.the phrase is fixed and does not take the preposition 'of' between the words.

© 2026 English Reference