Quranic root
علو
ʿ · l · w
A root centered on height, elevation, loftiness, and being above.
Its physical sense of rising or being high extends to superiority, eminence, mastery, exaltation, and—when morally marked—self-aggrandizement or tyranny. Related forms also designate upper parts, elevated places, and things added above a load.
- Maqāyīs · row 3302
- 12
- Quran-attested forms
- 18
- Quran senses
- 70
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
- عَلَاVerb · Form I I · 20
- تَعَالَىVerb · Form IV IV · 8
- اِسْتَعْلَىVerb · Form X X · 1
- أَعْلَىAdjective / Superlative · 9
- أَعْلَوْنَNoun / Adjective · 2
- عَالٍActive participle · 7
- عَالِيَةAdjective · Active participle · 2
- عَلِيّAdjective / Noun · 11
- عِلِّيِّينNoun · 2
- عُلْيَاAdjective / Noun · 3
- عُلُوّNoun · 4
- مُتَعَالٍSubstantivized active participle · 1
عَلَا
ʿalā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 20 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To rise, become high, or be elevated.
Used of physical or abstract elevation; the supplied QAC group also contains the surface form تَعَالَى.
- Lane · entry 4613
- Mufradāt · row 1002
To rise above, prevail over, or gain mastery of something or someone.
The object may be a rival, an affair, or another power; the sense is one of ascendancy rather than mere physical height.
- Lane · entry 4613
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:7word 22
“they had conquered”
Quran 23:91word 17
“and surely would have overpowered”
To exalt oneself, behave arrogantly, or act oppressively from a position of superiority.
This is the blameworthy use of elevation, especially in constructions with عَلَا فِي الأَرْضِ or عَلَا عَلَى.
- Lane · entry 4613
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 27:31word 2
“exalt yourselves”
To be exalted above created beings; said of God, to be transcendent in essence and attributes.
This Quranic divine use is represented by the supplied تَعَالَى surface forms within the same QAC Form-I group.
- Lane · entry 4618
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 16:3word 5
“Exalted is He”
تَعَالَى
taʿālā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- Quran occurrences
- 8 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Come; come forward or come to the proposed matter.
A fixed imperative expression, originally associated with ascending toward the person addressed but conventionally used regardless of relative location; it is used with singular, dual, and plural forms.
- Lane · entry 4618
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
اِسْتَعْلَى
āistaʿlā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form X
- Form
- X
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To seek or gain superiority; to prevail over or overcome.
The Quranic occurrence is in a contest in which one party is expected to prevail; the form can also denote superiority perceptible to the senses or conceived by the intellect.
- Lane · entry 4620
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:64word 10
“overcomes”
أَعْلَى
ʾaʿlā
- Part of speech
- Adjective / Superlative
- Quran occurrences
- 9 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Higher, highest, or superior; the Most High.
Used adjectivally or substantivally for the highest degree of elevation, excellence, or superiority; in divine usage it denotes absolute highness.
- Lane · entry 4658
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
أَعْلَوْنَ
ʾaʿlawna
- Part of speech
- Noun / Adjective
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
The higher ones; those who are superior or destined to prevail.
A plural designation of superiority in rank or outcome, not merely physical height.
- Lane · entry 4658
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:139word 6
“[the] superior”
Quran 47:35word 7
“(are) superior”
عَالٍ
ʿālin
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 7 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
High, elevated, or above; occupying the upper or highest part.
Includes the active-participle forms عَالِيًا, عَالِيَهَا, عَالِيَهُمْ, and the plural عَالِينَ. The elevation may be spatial or descriptive.
- Lane · entry 4655
- Lane · entry 4656
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Exalted in a domineering or overbearing position.
In the Quranic description of Pharaoh, the elevation is morally marked as oppressive earthly ascendancy.
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:83word 17
“(was) a tyrant”
عَالِيَة
ʿāliyah
- Part of speech
- Adjective · Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
High, elevated, or raised.
Feminine adjective describing an elevated state or position.
- Lane · entry 4656
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 69:22word 3
“elevated”
Quran 88:10word 3
“elevated”
عَلِيّ
ʿaliyy
- Part of speech
- Adjective / Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 11 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
High, elevated, or exalted in rank; noble.
Used of persons, things, or status; it is distinct from the active participle عَالٍ.
- Lane · entry 4646
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 19:57word 3
“high”
The Most High, beyond the reach of encompassing description.
A divine epithet expressing transcendent highness rather than a merely comparative height.
- Lane · entry 4646
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:255word 49
“(is) the Most High”
Quran 42:51word 21
“(is) Most High”
عِلِّيِّين
ʿilliyyīn
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Illiyyin: an indefinitely elevated realm associated with the righteous.
The term is variously explained as the highest heaven or paradise, the place or register to which the righteous deeds or souls ascend, or the inhabitants of that realm; the supplied evidence does not resolve these interpretations into one exclusive referent.
- Lane · entry 4654
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 83:18word 6
“Illiyin”
Quran 83:19word 4
“(is) Illiyun”
عُلْيَا
ʿulyā
- Part of speech
- Adjective / Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 3 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
High, highest, or superior; the uppermost level or quality.
Feminine counterpart of أَعْلَى, used adjectivally and as a substantive for what is highest.
- Lane · entry 4658
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 9:40word 40
“the highest”
Quran 20:4word 6
“[the] high”
عُلُوّ
ʿuluww
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 4 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Height, elevation, or being above.
The abstract noun may denote physical height or elevation in rank.
- Lane · entry 4613
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:43word 5
“(by) height”
Self-exaltation, haughtiness, or oppressive superiority.
A blameworthy abstract elevation, especially when exercised against others or in the earth.
- Lane · entry 4613
- Lane · entry 4647
- Mufradāt · row 1002
Selected Quran examples
Quran 27:14word 6
“and haughtiness”
Quran 28:83word 8
“exaltedness”
مُتَعَالٍ
mutaʿālin
- Part of speech
- Substantivized active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
The One exalted above all; the Most High.
A divine epithet emphasizing superiority over every high one and transcendence above created attributes and false imputations.
- Lane · entry 4665
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:9word 5
“the Most High”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:255ٱلْعَلِىُّ(is) the Most High
- 3:61تَعَالَوْا۟Come
- 3:64تَعَالَوْا۟Come
- 3:139ٱلْأَعْلَوْنَ[the] superior
- 3:167تَعَالَوْا۟Come
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 65 Classical meanings
عَلَا فِي المَكَانِ
To ascend a place, climb onto it, or mount an animal.
A concrete upward movement; the object may be a mountain, roof, or beast.
- Lane · entry 4613
عَلَاهُ
To lie upon, overlay, overspread, or weigh upon something as a burden.
Used of a thing becoming superincumbent or onerous.
- Lane · entry 4613
عَلَوْتُهُمْ
To be superior to others in nobility, beauty, or distinction.
A comparative social or personal superiority, not necessarily domination.
- Lane · entry 4613
عُلَاوَةُ الرِّيحِ
The windward side or quarter from which the wind blows.
Used with reference to a person, game, or object exposed to the wind.
- Lane · entry 4613
- Lane · entry 4648
عَلَوْتُهُ بِالسَّيْفِ
To strike, set upon, or assail someone with a weapon, abuse, or beating.
An idiomatic extension of attacking from above or upon.
- Lane · entry 4613
عَلَا عَنْهُ
To recoil from, shrink from, or fail to cleave to something.
Often said of the eye recoiling from an objectionable person or thing.
- Lane · entry 4613
عَلَّى
To raise, put upon, lift from, or otherwise handle a load by lifting.
Includes raising goods onto a beast, raising a bucket or rope, and removing goods from a beast.
- Lane · entry 4614
مُعَالَاةٌ
Vying, competing, or contending for superiority or eminence.
A reciprocal contest in highness, loftiness, rank, or distinction.
- Lane · entry 4615
عُولِيَ
To rise during the working or heating of clarified butter or fat.
A specialized description of a substance rising in preparation.
- Lane · entry 4615
عَالَوْا نَعِيَّهُ
To make a death announcement public or conspicuous.
An idiomatic raising or spreading of news of someone’s death.
- Lane · entry 4615
عَالِ عَنِّي
Go away, move aside, or seek the desired object from someone else.
An imperative or idiomatic dismissal, sometimes accompanied by inability to provide what is requested.
- Lane · entry 4615
أَعْلَى
To raise, elevate, or make a thing high or lofty.
Transitive causation of elevation, including figurative elevation of a person’s rank.
- Lane · entry 4616
أَعْلِ
To sit upon a cushion, or to rise from it; to alight from a beast.
The preposition or complement distinguishes sitting upon from rising away or alighting.
- Lane · entry 4616
تَعَلَّى
To become high or elevated gradually, gently, or leisurely.
A reflexive or intransitive development of elevation.
- Lane · entry 4617
تَعَلَّى
To come upon a group suddenly or without permission.
A specialized idiomatic use distinct from physical ascent.
- Lane · entry 4617
تَعَلَّى مِنْ نِفَاسِهَا
To recover or become purified after childbirth; of a man, to recover from illness.
The postpartum use is conventionally applied to a woman, while the illness use may be applied to a man.
- Lane · entry 4617
اِعْتَلَى
To ascend or climb; in transitive use, to mount or rise upon something.
The supplied entry points to both transitive and intransitive uses of the upward-motion branch.
- Lane · entry 4619
- Lane · entry 4613
اِعْتَلَى
To fall short in an affair.
A separately reported use associated with اِئْتَلَى, not a synonym for physical ascent.
- Lane · entry 4619
اِسْتَعْلَى
To be frequently current on the tongue.
Said of a word or sentence that is habitually uttered.
- Lane · entry 4620
اِسْتَعْلَى عَلَى الغَايَةِ
In a race, to outstrip competitors and reach the goal.
A conventional equestrian or racing expression.
- Lane · entry 4620
عَلْوَنَ الكِتَابَ
To put a superscription or title on a book or writing.
The associated nouns عَلْوَنَة and عُلْوَان designate the title or heading.
- Lane · entry 4622
مِنْ عَلُ / مِنْ عَلِ
From above or from the higher part; figuratively, from a position of superiority and hence overcoming or subduing.
The vowel and grammatical form vary between the fixed adverbial expressions.
- Lane · entry 4623
- Lane · entry 4624
- Lane · entry 4655
- Lane · entry 4663
عَلْوٌ
A high or elevated state of the base or foundation of a building.
A specialized architectural use.
- Lane · entry 4626
أَخَذَهُ عَلْوًا
To take someone or something by force.
An idiom of forcible taking, related to superiority over the object.
- Lane · entry 4626
عُلْوٌ
The higher or highest part of a house, abode, or thing; by extension, a high class of poetry.
The same noun may denote an upper location or elevated quality.
- Lane · entry 4627
عَلَى
Above or over, used as a noun in the expression مِنْ عَلَيْهِ.
This is the lexical noun meaning “the place above,” distinct from the many grammatical prepositional functions of عَلَى.
- Lane · entry 4631
عَلَيْكَ / عَلَيَّ
An imperative expression meaning take hold of or keep to something; in another construction, bring or present something to me.
These are fixed verbal-noun constructions rather than ordinary spatial uses of the preposition.
- Lane · entry 4631
عَلَاةٌ
An anvil, whether of iron, stone, or another hard material.
The word also supplies the metaphorical basis for descriptions of hard or firm bodily make.
- Lane · entry 4633
عَلَاةٌ
A hard, firm, tall, or overtopping she-camel.
A metaphorical application from the hardness or elevation of an anvil; some authorities emphasize height and bulk.
- Lane · entry 4633
عَلَاةٌ
A stone or platform used for drying or cooking the preparation called أَقِط.
A technical pastoral term for the supporting stone or prepared cooking surface.
- Lane · entry 4633
عَلَاةٌ
A vessel-like object used for milking.
A specialized implement made or arranged around a milking vessel.
- Lane · entry 4633
عَلْيَاءُ
A high place, mountain summit, or the sky.
A substantive for a naturally elevated location or the upper realm.
- Lane · entry 4638
عَلْيَاءُ
A high or eminent deed.
A figurative use in which moral or social elevation belongs to an action.
- Lane · entry 4638
عُلْوِيٌّ / عَالِيٌّ
Relating to the region called al-ʿĀliyah.
A regional adjective or nisbah, not simply the general adjective “high.”
- Lane · entry 4657
عِلْيَانٌ
Tall and corpulent, bulky, or large-bodied.
Applied to a man, woman, or camel according to the cited usage.
- Lane · entry 4642
عِلْيَانٌ
A male hyena, or a tall hyena.
A specialized animal name.
- Lane · entry 4642
عِلْيَانٌ
A high or loud voice.
A specialized use for elevated vocal sound.
- Lane · entry 4642
عِلْيَانٌ
Household goods, furniture, or utensils.
A reported lexical use synonymous with مَتَاع.
- Lane · entry 4642
عَلَاءٌ
High or eminent rank, station, nobility, or the acquisition of such distinction.
The related مَعْلَاة is the means or cause of acquiring honor; the abstract noun itself denotes the elevated status.
- Lane · entry 4643
عَلِيٌّ / عِلْيَةٌ
An eminent or high-ranking person; the elite of a people.
A plural or quasi-plural social designation, distinct from the general adjective “high.”
- Lane · entry 4646
عَلِيٌّ
Strong, robust, or powerful.
A physical or personal quality, sometimes motivating its use as a personal name.
- Lane · entry 4646
عَلِيُّونَ
People dwelling in high parts of a country, or people possessing opulence and eminence.
A Classical plural opposed to those of the lower parts or lower social standing; it is distinct from the Quranic term عِلِّيِّين.
- Lane · entry 4646
عَلِيَّةٌ
A she-camel strong enough to bear her burden and excelling in capacity.
A specialized camel epithet.
- Lane · entry 4646
عَلِيٌّ
A man who behaves effeminately toward women.
A specialized and socially marked idiomatic use.
- Lane · entry 4646
عِلِّيَّةٌ / عُلِّيَّةٌ
An upper chamber or room in an uppermost story.
A concrete architectural noun, with plural عَلَالِي.
- Lane · entry 4653
عِلِّيَّةٌ
The board supporting an assay balance.
A rare technical meaning.
- Lane · entry 4653
عِلَاوَةٌ
An additional load placed above a completed load, or any superaddition.
Includes goods put on a camel after its main load and anything given over and above an amount.
- Lane · entry 4649
عِلَاوَةٌ
The uppermost part of the head or neck; the head or neck itself in idiomatic expressions.
Often occurs in expressions for striking or severing the head.
- Lane · entry 4649
عَالِيَةٌ
The upper portion of a spear shaft, especially the part near or entering the iron head.
Contrasted with the lower portion, سَافِلَة; the exact extent varies among authorities.
- Lane · entry 4656
عَالِيَةٌ
The upper part of a valley from which its water descends.
A geographical topographic term.
- Lane · entry 4656
العَالِيَةُ
The elevated region above Najd or the higher part of the Hijaz, including associated settlements.
A regional proper designation, not a general adjective.
- Lane · entry 4656
- Lane · entry 4658
أَعْلَى / عَالٍ
Of higher authority, more approved, more eloquent, usual, or common.
Used of a word, form, or linguistic expression in comparative evaluation.
- Lane · entry 4655
- Lane · entry 4658
أَعْلَى عَيْنًا
More knowledgeable or better acquainted with someone’s condition.
An idiom using elevation for superior knowledge or awareness.
- Lane · entry 4658
أَعْلَى بِكُمْ عَيْنًا
To esteem, magnify, or honor someone greatly.
A figurative idiom of holding someone in high regard.
- Lane · entry 4658
اليَدُ العُلْيَا
The higher hand, especially the abstaining or giving hand.
A conventional ethical or social expression contrasting the giving or self-restaining hand with the receiving hand.
- Lane · entry 4658
المُعَلَّى
The seventh and most valuable arrow in the game of maysir.
When it wins, it receives seven shares; the term is a specialized gambling designation.
- Lane · entry 4660
المُعَلِّي
The milker standing on the left side of a milch camel, or the person handling the vessel while milking.
The exact division of labor varies in the cited descriptions; it is opposed to البائن.
- Lane · entry 4661
مُعْتَلٍ
Having ability, power, or strength sufficient for an affair.
A figurative extension of being able to rise to or master a task.
- Lane · entry 4664
المُعْتَلِي
The lion.
A zoological metaphor based on strength and power.
- Lane · entry 4664
غَيْرُ مُعْتَلٍ
Not falling short, remiss, or deficient in carrying out what is required.
A separate idiomatic use associated with being adequate to an affair.
- Lane · entry 4664
مُسْتَعْلًى
The near or left side of a she-camel.
Used in the expression for approaching the animal from that side.
- Lane · entry 4666
اليَدُ المُسْتَعْلِيَةُ
The hand of one who takes by force, plunders, or seizes openly.
A conventional contrast with the concealed or furtive hand in legal discussion.
- Lane · entry 4667
الحُرُوفُ المُسْتَعْلِيَةُ
The “high” letters خ، ص، ض، ط، ظ، غ، ق, articulated with elevation of the tongue toward the palate.
A technical phonetic classification opposed to the lowered letters.
- Lane · entry 4667
أَبُو العَلَاءِ
A name for the sweet food called الفَالُوذَجُ or الفَالُوذ.
A specialized lexical name for a sweet food.
- Lane · entry 4643
شَفَةٌ عُلْيَا
The upper lip.
A conventional anatomical expression using عُلْيَا for the upper member of a pair.
- Lane · entry 4658
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The supplied QAC Form-I group qac-form:Elw:taEa`laY` combines surface forms عَلَا, تَعْلُ, and تَعَالَى; this artifact preserves that grouping while displaying the normalized citation form عَلَا and separately displaying the supplied imperative group.
عِلِّيِّين has several classical interpretations in the packet, including an elevated realm, paradise, its inhabitants, or a register associated with the righteous; no single interpretation is asserted as exclusive.
The English contextual glosses are used only as examples and orientation; lexical senses are supported by Lane and/or Mufradat.
Unassigned or ambiguous evidence
The supplied evidence reports divergent traditional analyses of عِلِّيِّين, including whether it is a place, a register, inhabitants, or an unbounded plural; these alternatives are retained in the Quranic usage conditions.
Some rare Lane entries contain competing readings or attributional alternatives, especially for عِلْيَانٌ, عَلْيَآءُ, and regional terms; they are synthesized only where the lexical branch is clear.