taller
/tɔːl/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɔlɚ] /tɑːl/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɔlɚ] /ˈtȯl How to pronounce tall (audio)/ (ame, mw)
taller — adjective
- tallerpositive
- tallerercomparative
- tallerestsuperlative
1. comparative form of 'tall' — having more height than another person or thing, or
comparative form of 'tall' — having more height than another person or thing, or becoming greater in height than before.
Daichi is taller than his older brother now, even though he used to be shorter.
comparison: taller than [noun]
The new lamp is taller than the old one and nearly reaches the window frame.
predicative comparison with object height
By spring, the tomato plants were taller than the fence beside Devika's garden.
Could we get a taller stool? Eli still cannot see over the kitchen counter.
After two months of swimming practice, Christopher looked taller and stronger.
- higher
'Higher' usually focuses on position above the ground or another point, while 'taller' describes the vertical shape or height of a person or upright object.
- bigger
More general and less exact; it can refer to overall size, not specifically height.
- longer
Used for length along the main line of something, not for upright height.
- shorter
Direct opposite when comparing the height of people or upright things.
文法句型
taller than [noun]
a taller [noun]
grow/get taller
用法筆記
For people, trees, buildings, and other upright things, English normally prefers 'taller' rather than 'higher'. Sense 2 and sense 3 are figurative, but this sense is the ordinary physical comparison of height.
常見錯誤
2. comparative form of the figurative 'tall' meaning exaggerated — describing a sto
comparative form of the figurative 'tall' meaning exaggerated — describing a story, excuse, or rumour that sounds even less believable than another one.
Mert's second excuse sounded even taller than the first one, so nobody believed him.
figurative comparison: sound taller than [story]
By dinner, Tomás had turned a small delay into a much taller story.
attributive: a taller story
The rumour grew taller with each repost from people who never checked the facts.
Each child tried to tell a taller tale about the stray cat in the park.
- more exaggerated
Neutral and direct; it states that the account has been stretched further.
- more far-fetched
Stronger in tone; it emphasises that the account strains belief.
- less believable
Plain description that focuses on how hard the listener finds it to accept.
- more credible
Describes an account that sounds easier to accept as true.
文法句型
a taller story
a taller tale
sound/grow taller
用法筆記
Most often modifies words like 'story', 'tale', 'excuse', or 'rumour'. It suggests growing exaggeration or improbability, not simply a statement that is false on purpose.
常見錯誤
3. comparative form of the figurative 'tall' meaning difficult — used for a demand
comparative form of the figurative 'tall' meaning difficult — used for a demand or goal that seems harder or larger in scale than another one.
For Linh's team, funding the whole tour was a taller order than booking the bus.
fixed phrase: a taller order than [task]
After the storm, reopening the school by Monday looked like a much taller order.
look like a taller order
Supplying three wedding halls in one day proved a taller order for the tiny bakery.
Eve could fix one computer tonight, but repairing all twenty was a taller order.
- more demanding
Focuses on how much effort, time, or attention the goal requires.
- more difficult
Neutral and broad; it states the higher level of difficulty without the idiomatic flavour.
- more formidable
More formal; suggests a challenge that feels large and intimidating.
- more manageable
Describes a goal or demand that feels easier to handle.
文法句型
be a taller order than [noun/gerund]
look like a taller order
prove a taller order
用法筆記
Usually appears in the fixed comparative phrase 'a taller order'. English rarely says 'a taller task' for this meaning, so switch to 'harder task' outside the phrase.