1 high
Pronounced:
/ˈhaɪ/
Function:
adjectiveInflected forms:
high·er; high·estMeaning:
1 a : rising or extending upward a great distance ▪ high mountains/peaks ▪ a high [=tall] building ▪ a high fly ball —opposite low b : extending or reaching upward more than other things of the same kind ▪ high boots ▪ a high collar ▪ a high fence ▪ high [=tall] grass —opposite low c : located far above the ground or another surface ▪ high clouds/altitudes ▪ The sun was high [=far above the horizon] in the eastern sky. ▪ The apartment has high ceilings. ▪ The cat was found high (up) in the tree. ▪ The airplane was high above the clouds. —opposite low d : having a specified height ▪ The bush is six feet high. ▪ a building 100 stories high ▪ The grass was knee-high. [=the grass reached a person's knees] ▪ waist-high water —see also sky-high e always used before a noun : rising above surrounding land ▪ They have a home in the high country. ▪ the high plains ▪ The houses are built on high ground. —opposite low
2 a : greater than usual in amount, number, or degree ▪ They were traveling at a high (rate of) speed. = They were traveling at high speed. ▪ They reached speeds as high as 100 mph. ▪ He's being treated for high blood pressure. ▪ high cholesterol ▪ a high fever ▪ She earns a high salary. ▪ high anxiety ▪ high heat/humidity/temperatures ▪ high interest rates ▪ high intelligence ▪ His books are in high demand. ▪ We liked the house, but the price was too high. ▪ He has received high praise for his efforts to help the homeless. ▪ They are paying him a high compliment. —opposite low b : near or at the top of a range ▪ Temperatures were in the high 80s. [=were around 87–89] —opposite low
3 a : very favorable ▪ He holds you in high regard/esteem. = He has a high opinion of you. [=he thinks highly of you; he regards you favorably] ▪ They started their trip with high hopes/expectations. [=they started their trip hoping/expecting that it would go well] ▪ Hopes are high that the strike will be settled soon. ▪ All the children were in high spirits [=were very happy and excited] on the last day of school. —opposite low b : very good ▪ We manufacture products of high quality. ▪ He got high marks/grades throughout college. ▪ high morale ▪ Our vacation ended on a high note. [=it ended in a pleasant or enjoyable way] ▪ Our trip to the museum was the high point [=the most enjoyable part] of our vacation. —opposite low c : morally good ▪ She is a woman of high character. ▪ high ideals/principles ▪ high standards of conduct —opposite low
4 : above others in power, importance, etc. ▪ high officials = officials of high rank = high-ranking officials ▪ The decision will be reviewed by a higher court. ▪ Losing weight is a high priority for him. ▪ He has friends in high places. [=he has friends who have power and influence] ▪ He is high on the list of possible candidates for the job. [=he is considered to be a very good choice for the job] —opposite low
5 : not low in sound ▪ a high voice : occurring near the top of the musical scale ▪ a high note —opposite low
6 always used before a noun : very strong or forceful ▪ high winds/explosives
7 : having qualities that appeal to intelligent people ▪ high art ▪ high comedy —opposite low
8 always used before a noun : filled with the most activity ▪ The rates at the resort are more expensive during (the) high season. [=the season when it is most busy or popular] ▪ The town is filled with tourists in high summer. [=in the middle of summer]
9 always used before a noun : of or relating to people who have and spend a lot of money on travel, good food, etc. : rich and luxurious ▪ high society/living ▪ the high life
10 : very exciting or intense ▪ high adventure ▪ The hostage crisis has provided many moments of high drama. [=many highly dramatic moments]
11 of a river, stream, etc. : rising farther up the banks than usual : having more water than usual ▪ The river is high. —opposite low
12 not used before a noun informal : intoxicated by alcohol or drugs ▪ All he wanted to do was to get high. ▪ He was as high as a kite. [=very high; very drunk or intoxicated] —often + on ▪ He was high on cocaine.
2 a : greater than usual in amount, number, or degree ▪ They were traveling at a high (rate of) speed. = They were traveling at high speed. ▪ They reached speeds as high as 100 mph. ▪ He's being treated for high blood pressure. ▪ high cholesterol ▪ a high fever ▪ She earns a high salary. ▪ high anxiety ▪ high heat/humidity/temperatures ▪ high interest rates ▪ high intelligence ▪ His books are in high demand. ▪ We liked the house, but the price was too high. ▪ He has received high praise for his efforts to help the homeless. ▪ They are paying him a high compliment. —opposite low b : near or at the top of a range ▪ Temperatures were in the high 80s. [=were around 87–89] —opposite low
3 a : very favorable ▪ He holds you in high regard/esteem. = He has a high opinion of you. [=he thinks highly of you; he regards you favorably] ▪ They started their trip with high hopes/expectations. [=they started their trip hoping/expecting that it would go well] ▪ Hopes are high that the strike will be settled soon. ▪ All the children were in high spirits [=were very happy and excited] on the last day of school. —opposite low b : very good ▪ We manufacture products of high quality. ▪ He got high marks/grades throughout college. ▪ high morale ▪ Our vacation ended on a high note. [=it ended in a pleasant or enjoyable way] ▪ Our trip to the museum was the high point [=the most enjoyable part] of our vacation. —opposite low c : morally good ▪ She is a woman of high character. ▪ high ideals/principles ▪ high standards of conduct —opposite low
4 : above others in power, importance, etc. ▪ high officials = officials of high rank = high-ranking officials ▪ The decision will be reviewed by a higher court. ▪ Losing weight is a high priority for him. ▪ He has friends in high places. [=he has friends who have power and influence] ▪ He is high on the list of possible candidates for the job. [=he is considered to be a very good choice for the job] —opposite low
5 : not low in sound ▪ a high voice : occurring near the top of the musical scale ▪ a high note —opposite low
6 always used before a noun : very strong or forceful ▪ high winds/explosives
7 : having qualities that appeal to intelligent people ▪ high art ▪ high comedy —opposite low
8 always used before a noun : filled with the most activity ▪ The rates at the resort are more expensive during (the) high season. [=the season when it is most busy or popular] ▪ The town is filled with tourists in high summer. [=in the middle of summer]
9 always used before a noun : of or relating to people who have and spend a lot of money on travel, good food, etc. : rich and luxurious ▪ high society/living ▪ the high life
10 : very exciting or intense ▪ high adventure ▪ The hostage crisis has provided many moments of high drama. [=many highly dramatic moments]
11 of a river, stream, etc. : rising farther up the banks than usual : having more water than usual ▪ The river is high. —opposite low
12 not used before a noun informal : intoxicated by alcohol or drugs ▪ All he wanted to do was to get high. ▪ He was as high as a kite. [=very high; very drunk or intoxicated] —often + on ▪ He was high on cocaine.
come hell or high water —see hell
high and mighty
informal 1 : having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better or more important than other people ▪ He's not so high and mighty now that he needs our help. ▪ I can't stand her when she acts/gets (all) high and mighty like that.
2 the high and (the) mighty : people who are important and powerful ▪ She likes to rub elbows with the high and mighty.
2 the high and (the) mighty : people who are important and powerful ▪ She likes to rub elbows with the high and mighty.
high in
: containing a large amount of (something) ▪ These vegetables are high in nitrogen. ▪ a diet high in fiber
high on
US informal : excited or enthusiastic about (someone or something) ▪ The coach is very high on this new player. ▪ Party leaders are high on her prospects.
in high dudgeon —see dudgeon
it's high time
informal ◊If it's high time to do something, it is time to do something that should have been done a long time ago. ▪ It's high time we made some changes around here. ▪ It's high time (that) you cleaned your room.
pay a high price —see 1pay
to high heaven(s) —see heaven
synonyms high, tall, and lofty mean being above the usual level in height. high is used for things and not people, and it refers to distance from the ground or some other surface. ▪ A high fence surrounded the house. tall is used for both people and things. ▪ tall buildings ▪ She is tall for her age. lofty is a literary word that is used for something that rises to a very great or impressive height. ▪ lofty mountains