1 C1 formal
To be physically located at a higher position than something else.
"The glacier lies above the treeline, where no vegetation can survive."
inseparable
lie above
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
To be positioned or situated at a higher level than something else.
In plain English
To be on top of or higher than something else.
What does "lie above" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 formal
(Anatomy/geology) to be positioned on top of a particular layer, organ, or stratum.
"The epidermis lies above the dermis in the structure of human skin."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rest in a position that is higher than something else.
Actually means
To be on top of or higher than something else.
Usage tip
Used in technical, geographical, or formal written contexts to describe the position of one thing relative to another. More common in written English than spoken. Sometimes used in anatomy or geology.
Words that pair with "lie above"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
surface sea level layer town cloud plateau
How to conjugate "lie above"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lie above
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lies above
he/she/it
Past simple
lay above
yesterday
Past participle
lain above
have + pp
-ing form
lying above
continuous
Hear "lie above" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lie above" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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