high
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.
- high mountain
- high wall
- reach high shelves
- tall
tall describes thin or upright objects; high describes things extending from a base
Usage Note
Used for both absolute position and measurement. When used for measurement, it typically follows the dimension (e.g., two meters high).
Common Mistakes
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.
- high prices
- high speed
- high temperature
Usage Note
Collocates strongly with nouns representing quantities, levels, or abstract intensities.
Common Mistakes
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.
- high protein
- high fat
- high sugar
Usage Note
Almost exclusively used in the pattern 'high in [substance]'.
Common Mistakes
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.
- high standards
- high morals
- high ideals
Usage Note
Describes moral quality or excellence of conduct.
Common Mistakes
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.
- high winds
- high seas
Usage Note
Commonly used in meteorological contexts to describe velocity or force of movement.
Common Mistakes
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.
- high official
- high office
- high society
- influential
focuses on the impact of the person
Usage Note
Refers to power, rank, or seniority in social or professional hierarchies.
Common Mistakes
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.
- high pitch
- high frequency
Usage Note
Used for pitch/frequency in acoustics.
Common Mistakes
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.
- high game
- high meat
Usage Note
Specifically denotes the smell of decaying meat. Very restricted usage.
Common Mistakes
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.
- get high
- stay high
- intoxicated
clinical and formal
Usage Note
Informal. Often appears as be/look high or high on a drug; unlike sense 10, it implies intoxication.
Common Mistakes
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.
- feel high
- still high from the win
Usage Note
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.
- high season
- high summer
- high noon
Usage Note
Usually appears in fixed phrases such as high season, high summer, and high noon.
Acting in an arrogant or self-righteous manner as if you are morally superior to others.
She needs to get off her high horse and admit that she made a mistake like everyone else.
Having personal connections with people who possess significant power or influence.
Because he has friends in high places, he was able to secure the permit without any further delays.
have a high old time
idiomTo have a very enjoyable and lively experience.
The cousins had a high old time running around the farmhouse during their week-long summer vacation visit.
To do something regardless of any difficulties or obstacles that may arise.
We will reach the summit by noon, come hell or high water, so keep moving despite the rain.
high and dry
idiomFinding yourself trapped with zero assistance available, often lacking basic tools or financial means to escape.
When the company suddenly went bankrupt, the employees were left high and dry without their final paychecks.
high and mighty
idiomBehaving in a way that suggests you are more important than you actually are.
The manager acted high and mighty toward the interns, ignoring their questions as if he were royalty.
high as a kite
idiomBeing extremely intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.
The security guard noticed the intruder was high as a kite and unable to stand up straight.
a high/low profile
idiomMaintaining a level of visibility or public attention in one's actions.
After the scandal, the politician kept a low profile to avoid further media attention and intense public scrutiny.
in high dudgeon
idiomIn a state of intense anger or offense.
The customer stormed out of the restaurant in high dudgeon after being told there was no table available.
it’s about/high time
idiomUsed to suggest that something should have been done already.
It is high time we addressed the infrastructure problems before the winter weather makes repairs impossible to finish.
Representing a level of extreme quality, importance, or seriousness.
The emergency response required coordination of the highest order to save lives during the flash flood disaster.
To have a very strong, unpleasant odor; figuratively, to be obviously dishonest.
The corruption in the local building department stinks to high heaven after the recent audit revealed missing funds.
To present yourself as being morally superior in a conflict or argument.
By refusing to resort to insults, the candidate hoped to take the moral high ground in the debate.
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.
Usage Note
Used as a countable noun to indicate a peak value.
Common Mistakes
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.
Usage Note
Refers to a transitory state of intense emotion or euphoria.
Common Mistakes
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.
Usage Note
Informal shortening of 'high school'.
Common Mistakes
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.
Usage Note
Used to describe movement or positioning at an altitude or rank.
Common Mistakes
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.
Usage Note
Found in the phrase 'live high'. Formal register.
Common Mistakes
Using this to mean 'living at a high altitude' instead of 'living luxuriously'.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
All describe vertical dimension. 'High' is the general term for objects reaching above a base. 'Tall' implies a ratio of height to width, often used for people or thin structures. 'Lofty' adds a sense of grandeur or great distance. 'Towering' describes something that rises far above its surroundings, creating an impression of dominance.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word traces back to Old English 'hēah', which shares roots with other Germanic languages like Dutch 'hoog' and German 'hoch'. It was originally used to describe physical altitude and prominence, eventually expanding to figurative meanings like social status and moral excellence.
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Adverb