higher
higher — adjective
1. measuring more from bottom to top, or being at a greater point on a scale of amo
measuring more from bottom to top, or being at a greater point on a scale of amount, quality, importance, or rank compared to something else — for example, a higher building, a higher salary, or a higher position in a company.
The top shelf was too high, so Mei looked on a higher shelf for the book.
comparative adjective before noun: higher shelf
Sofia's test score was higher than Kwame's, but both passed the exam.
pattern: higher than + noun phrase
The company offered Omar a higher salary to move to the new office.
Summer temperatures this year were higher than the previous record by three degrees.
- taller
used only for physical height of people or narrow objects; 'higher' is broader
- greater
more formal; used for amounts, not physical height
- more advanced
focuses on stage of development rather than level on a scale
- lower
the direct opposite comparative of 'low'
文法句型
higher + noun
be higher than + noun phrase
higher and higher
用法筆記
Common with than to introduce the thing being compared: higher than [something].
常見錯誤
2. relating to education at a college, university, or similar institution, after a
relating to education at a college, university, or similar institution, after a person has finished secondary school.
Yuna moved to Edinburgh to pursue a higher degree in environmental science.
collocation: higher degree
The college runs higher education programmes in nursing and other healthcare fields.
collocation: higher education
Higher education fees have risen sharply over the past decade in many countries.
Lin's parents encouraged her to pursue higher education instead of starting work right away.
- postsecondary
formal term; less common than 'higher' in everyday speech
- tertiary
very formal; used mainly in official documents and reports
文法句型
higher + education noun (education, degree, studies, learning)
用法筆記
Used only before nouns related to study or learning. Cannot be used predicatively (❌ 'This course is higher').
常見錯誤
higher — adverb
1. in or toward a position that is above another position, or to a more advanced po
in or toward a position that is above another position, or to a more advanced point on a scale of amount or quality.
The eagle flew higher than any other bird in the sky that morning.
comparative adverb: flew higher than
As the plane climbed higher, the city below grew smaller and smaller.
Interest rates rose higher than economists had predicted last quarter.
Anh wanted to hike higher up the trail, but the weather turned too cold.
- further up
more specific to physical elevation; less common for abstract degrees
- lower
the opposite direction
文法句型
verb + higher (than [noun])
rise/climb/go/fly higher
higher and higher
2. in a more luxurious, comfortable, or expensive way than before — used especially
in a more luxurious, comfortable, or expensive way than before — used especially with the verb 'live' to describe spending more money on enjoyable things.
After the business deal went through, Diego and his family began to live higher than before.
pattern: live higher than
The couple saved for years so they could live a little higher after retiring.
pattern: live a little higher
Winning the award allowed Amara to live higher and travel to places she had only dreamed of.
Some people take on extra jobs just to live a little higher and afford nicer things for their family.
- more luxuriously
more formal than 'higher' in this sense
- more comfortably
focuses on ease rather than expense
- more simply
living with less luxury
文法句型
live higher
live a little higher
用法筆記
Almost always paired with the verb 'live'. The non-comparative form 'live high' means the same thing; 'live higher' compares to a past or different lifestyle.
常見錯誤
3. for more money than something else; at a greater price or cost.
for more money than something else; at a greater price or cost.
Organic vegetables are priced higher than regular ones at the local market.
pattern: priced higher than
Hotel rooms near the beach cost higher than those in the town centre during July.
The auction house valued the painting higher than its initial estimate, surprising the seller.
Because demand was so strong, tickets for the concert were selling higher than their face value.
文法句型
verb (cost/price/sell) + higher
higher than [amount]
用法筆記
Common with verbs of pricing: 'cost higher', 'price higher', 'sell higher'. Can be replaced by 'more' in some contexts ('cost more', 'sell for more').
常見錯誤
higher — noun
1. a formal test in the Scottish education system taken near the end of secondary s
a formal test in the Scottish education system taken near the end of secondary school, typically between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, which qualifies students for entry to college or university courses.
Wei passed four Highers with top grades and got into the University of St Andrews.
plural form: Highers
Students in Scotland usually take five or six Highers over their final two years of school.
The results for this year's Highers will be published in August by the exam board.
Siti's teacher encouraged her to take Higher maths because of her strong skills in the subject.
文法句型
take/pass/sit [number] Higher(s)
Higher + [subject name]
用法筆記
Usually capitalised as a proper noun. Often used in the plural (Highers) when referring to the set of examinations a student takes. The singular (Higher) is used with a subject name ('Higher English', 'Higher maths').