abovementioned

Abovementioned is a formal English adjective meaning "mentioned above" or "referred to earlier in the text." It is used in documents where a prior statement, clause, or item has been named, and the writer wishes to reference it without restating details.

The term is formed from "above" plus "mentioned" and is commonly written as one word, though some style guides prefer the hyphenated form "above-mentioned." It is especially prevalent in legal drafting, contract language, and other formal writing disciplines where precision and concise cross-referencing are important. In everyday prose, it is less common and can sound archaic or overly formal.

Usage notes: abovementioned typically modifies a noun, as in "the abovementioned provisions" or "the abovementioned issues." It can appear after a prepositional phrase, for example, "as mentioned above" or "the provisions, as abovementioned." Many style guides encourage using simpler phrasing such as "the aforementioned provisions," "the above-mentioned provisions," or "the provisions mentioned above," to improve readability in non-specialized writing. In legal or highly formal contexts, abovementioned may be retained for tradition or emphasis.

See also: aforementioned, above-mentioned, afore-mentioned (less common and often considered archaic), mentioned above. In practice, writers should weigh formality against clarity and choose the closest, clearest option for the intended audience.