high
[hˈaɪ] /hˈaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /hˈaɪ/ (bre, ipa)
high — adjective
- highpositive
- highercomparative
- highestsuperlative
1. extending a significant way upwards from the ground or base, or possessing a spe
extending a significant way upwards from the ground or base, or possessing a specific measurement of vertical height
The workers climbed the high ladder to repair the broken streetlights on the main road.
measurement pattern: be [number] high
Our new dining room features a high ceiling that makes the small space feel open.
That fence is two meters high, so you will need a sturdy stool to jump.
Baraka hung a lantern from the high branch above the gate.
用法筆記
Used for both absolute position and measurement. When used for measurement, it typically follows the dimension (e.g., two meters high).
常見錯誤
Using 'tall' for inanimate objects like buildings when the focus is on the measurement itself.
2. surpassing standard or typical measurements in scale, intensity, or magnitude
surpassing standard or typical measurements in scale, intensity, or magnitude
The engine reached a high speed while he was driving along the empty country highway.
collocation: high speed / high level
Several departments reported a high number of visitors during the annual autumn arts and crafts festival.
The region is suffering from a high level of unemployment because the local factory recently closed.
Ticket prices stay high during festival week in the old port town.
用法筆記
Collocates strongly with nouns representing quantities, levels, or abstract intensities.
常見錯誤
Using 'tall' instead of 'high' for abstract concepts like prices or levels.
3. featuring a substantial concentration or presence of a specific element
featuring a substantial concentration or presence of a specific element
I try to eat foods that are not high in sugar to maintain my healthy lifestyle.
pattern: high in + substance
The soil in this valley is naturally high in minerals, which helps our local vineyards grow.
This specific cheese is quite high in protein, making it a good choice for active athletes.
These beans are high in fiber, so Tara serves them at lunch.
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in the pattern 'high in [substance]'.
常見錯誤
Saying 'the food is high with fat' instead of 'high in fat'.
4. reflecting excellent ethical values or superior standards of behavior
reflecting excellent ethical values or superior standards of behavior
She is recognized by the community as a woman of high principles who always helps others.
collocation: high standards / high principles
The organization expects a high standard of professional conduct from all its newly hired junior staff.
He maintained a high level of integrity even when faced with a very difficult ethical dilemma.
Even under pressure, Ilan kept the high standards his clinic expected.
用法筆記
Describes moral quality or excellence of conduct.
常見錯誤
Confusing 'high standards' (quality expectations) with 'high status' (social rank).
5. describing weather conditions characterized by powerful, forceful air movement
describing weather conditions characterized by powerful, forceful air movement
The ferry canceled its morning trip because high winds made crossing the harbor far too dangerous.
weather collocation: high winds
Forecasters are warning residents to stay indoors due to high winds expected to hit the coast.
The sailors were concerned about the high winds that could potentially damage the ship's fragile sails.
High winds tore the market awning loose before dawn.
用法筆記
Commonly used in meteorological contexts to describe velocity or force of movement.
常見錯誤
Using 'strong' as the only descriptor; 'high winds' is the preferred fixed collocation.
6. occupying a senior role or possessing significant social or political influence
occupying a senior role or possessing significant social or political influence
She currently holds a high office within the Ministry of Finance after years of dedicated service.
collocation: high office / high position
The diplomat is known for having friends in high places who can help resolve regional conflicts.
The investigation reached high officials in the defense ministry within a week.
Kian's aunt holds a high position in the railway ministry.
- influential
focuses on the impact of the person
用法筆記
Refers to power, rank, or seniority in social or professional hierarchies.
常見錯誤
Using 'tall' to describe people of high rank.
7. describing a sound or voice with a sharp pitch rather than a deep one
describing a sound or voice with a sharp pitch rather than a deep one
The young opera singer struggled to hit the high notes during her final performance tonight.
sound collocation: high notes
The baby started crying with a high pitch that could be heard down the entire hallway.
The flute adds a clear high sound above the cellos.
The kettle gave a high whistle when the water finally boiled.
用法筆記
Used for pitch/frequency in acoustics.
常見錯誤
Using 'loud' when referring to the frequency (pitch) rather than volume.
8. suffering from decomposition to the point of being inedible and producing a foul
suffering from decomposition to the point of being inedible and producing a foul odor
Throw away that piece of chicken because it smells quite high and might cause food poisoning.
predicate use: smell high
The game meat has been hanging too long and now it is starting to get high.
The chef refused to cook the fish because it was clearly high and beyond any safe use.
The cream smelled high after two days in the van.
用法筆記
Specifically denotes the smell of decaying meat. Very restricted usage.
常見錯誤
Interpreting this as 'high quality' when it actually means 'spoiled'.
9. experiencing an altered reality or intense sensations due to the influence of in
experiencing an altered reality or intense sensations due to the influence of intoxicating substances
Police noticed the suspect seemed high on some substance while he was walking near the station.
pattern: be/look high
She could tell her brother was high because he was acting strange and laughing at nothing.
The witness claimed the man was definitely high on something given his slow and erratic movements.
Witnesses said Leo looked high and could barely answer the officer.
- intoxicated
clinical and formal
用法筆記
Informal. Often appears as be/look high or high on a drug; unlike sense 10, it implies intoxication.
常見錯誤
Using this sense in formal or professional writing.
10. feeling full of excited energy, especially after something good or thrilling has
feeling full of excited energy, especially after something good or thrilling has happened
After the surprise bonus, Amelia felt high all afternoon.
pattern: feel high after good news
The crowd stayed high with excitement after the encore.
Trang came in high after hearing her visa had been approved.
Even at dinner, the kids were still high from the science fair win.
用法筆記
Informal. Often refers to an emotional lift after success or excitement; unlike sense 9, it does not suggest drug use.
11. used for the busiest, hottest, or otherwise most intense stage in a stretch of t
used for the busiest, hottest, or otherwise most intense stage in a stretch of time
Room rates climb fast in the high season on Green Island.
fixed phrase: high season
By high summer, the hiking trail is dusty and almost white.
The square emptied at high noon when the stone walls reflected heat.
Fishers repair their nets before the high season starts in May.
用法筆記
Usually appears in fixed phrases such as high season, high summer, and high noon.
high — noun
- highsingular
- highsplural
1. a maximum measurement or peak value reached within a set timeframe
a maximum measurement or peak value reached within a set timeframe
The stock market reached a new all-time high yesterday afternoon before closing for the day.
collocation: reach a new high
Temperatures hit a record high for this month, making it the hottest June in recent history.
Inflation reached a dramatic high last year, forcing the central bank to raise all interest rates.
Online sales hit a new high after the singer mentioned the brand.
用法筆記
Used as a countable noun to indicate a peak value.
常見錯誤
Saying 'a high point' when 'a high' is sufficient in technical contexts.
2. a brief surge of intense joyous emotion or heightened energy levels
a brief surge of intense joyous emotion or heightened energy levels
The athlete enjoyed a natural high after winning the gold medal in the final sprint race.
phrase: on a high
Her performance was wonderful, and the audience was still riding a high long after the show.
He experienced a temporary high when he saw his name on the list of accepted students.
Sora was still on a high after his design won first prize.
用法筆記
Refers to a transitory state of intense emotion or euphoria.
常見錯誤
Using this to refer to long-term happiness; it is usually temporary.
3. a casual designation for a secondary educational institution
a casual designation for a secondary educational institution
My son attends the local high every morning and plays on the school basketball team there.
informal: the high = high school
Many students at the high are preparing for their college entrance exams this coming weekend.
She graduated from a private high in the city before moving abroad for her university studies.
Christopher met his best friend at the high across from the station.
用法筆記
Informal shortening of 'high school'.
常見錯誤
Using it in formal academic or legal writing.
high — adverb
1. well above ground level, or rising toward that height
well above ground level, or rising toward that height
The eagle flew high above the mountain peaks, searching for a place to build its nest.
pattern: fly high / jump high
You need to jump high to reach the top shelf where the heavy books are stored.
The red balloon drifted high over the river before sunset.
The paper plane flew high over the playground fence.
用法筆記
Used to describe movement or positioning at an altitude or rank.
常見錯誤
Using 'highly' instead of 'high' for physical positioning.
2. in a manner characterized by significant wealth and indulgence
in a manner characterized by significant wealth and indulgence
The wealthy couple lived high, spending their nights at the most expensive restaurants in the city.
idiomatic use: live high
They always liked to live high whenever they traveled, choosing five-star hotels and private jet charters.
Even during the financial crisis, he continued to live high without considering his long-term budget concerns.
For one weekend, the cousins lived high at a lakefront resort.
用法筆記
Found in the phrase 'live high'. Formal register.
常見錯誤
Using this to mean 'living at a high altitude' instead of 'living luxuriously'.