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¹high

adjective \ˈhī\

: rising or extending upward a great distance

: extending or reaching upward more than other things of the same kind

: located far above the ground or another surface

Full Definition of HIGH

a : having large extension upward : taller than average, usual, or expected <a high wall>

b : having a specified elevation : tall <six feet high> —often used in combinations <sky-high> <waist-high>

c : situated or passing above the normal level, surface, base of measurement, or elevation <the high desert>

a (1) : advanced toward the acme or culmination <high summer> (2) : advanced toward the most active or culminating period <on the Riviera during high season> (3) : constituting the late, most fully developed, or most creative stage or period <high Gothic> (4) : advanced in complexity, development, or elaboration <the higher primates including humans> <higher mathematics>

b : verging on lateness —usually used in the phrase high time

c : long past : remote <high antiquity>

: elevated in pitch <a high note>

: relatively far from the equator <high latitude>

: rich in quality : luxurious <high living>

: slightly tainted <high game>; also : malodorous <smelled rather high>

: exalted in character : noble <high purposes>

: of greater degree, amount, cost, value, or content than average, usual, or expected <high prices>

: of relatively great importance: as

a : foremost in rank, dignity, or standing <high officials>

b : serious, grave <high crimes>

c : observed with the utmost solemnity <high religious observances>

d : critical, climactic <the high point of the novel>

e : intellectually or artistically of the first order <high culture>

f : marked by sublime, heroic, or stirring events or subject matter <high tragedy> <high adventure>

: forcible, strong <high winds>

: stressing matters of doctrine and ceremony; specifically : high church

a : filled with or expressing great joy or excitement <high spirits>

b : intoxicated; also : excited or stupefied by or as if by a drug

: articulated with some part of the tongue close to the palate <a high vowel>

— high on

: enthusiastically in approval or support of

See high defined for English-language learners

See high defined for kids

Origin of HIGH

Middle English, from Old English hēah; akin to Old High German hōh high, Lithuanian kaukaras hill

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HIGH

Synonyms: altitudinous, lofty, tall, towering

Antonyms: low, low-lying, short, squat

Synonym Discussion of HIGH

high, tall, lofty mean above the average in height. high implies marked extension upward and is applied chiefly to things which rise from a base or foundation or are placed at a conspicuous height above a lower level <a high hill> <a high ceiling>. tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness <a tall thin man>. lofty suggests great or imposing altitude <lofty mountain peaks>.

²high

adverb

: at or to a high place or level

: at a high rate

: at a high price

Full Definition of HIGH

: at or to a high place, altitude, level, or degree <climbed higher> <passions ran high>

: well, luxuriously —often used in the phrases high off the hog and high on the hog

See high defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of HIGH

before 12th century

Related to HIGH

Synonyms: expensively, extravagantly, fatly, grandly, large, lavishly, luxuriously, opulently, palatially, plushly, richly, sumptuously

Antonyms: austerely, humbly, modestly, plainly, simply

³high

noun

: a high point or level

: a gear that is used for faster speeds of travel in a vehicle

: a state of intoxication produced by a drug

Full Definition of HIGH

: an elevated place or region: as

a : hill, knoll

b : the space overhead : sky —usually used with on

c : heaven —usually used with on

: a region of high barometric pressure —called also anticyclone

a : a high point or level : height <sales reached a new high>

b : the transmission gear of a vehicle (as an automobile) giving the highest speed of travel

a : an excited, euphoric, or stupefied state produced by or as if by a drug

b : a state of elation or high spirits

See high defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of HIGH

13th century

Related to HIGH

Synonyms: cloud nine, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, heaven, ecstasy, intoxication, paradise, rapture, rhapsody, seventh heaven, swoon, transport

Antonyms: depression

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

HIGH Defined for Kids

¹high

adjective \ˈhī\

high·erhigh·est

Definition of HIGH for Kids

: extending to a great distance above the ground <high mountains>

: having a specified elevation : tall <The building is 50 stories high.>

: of greater degree, size, amount, or cost than average <high temperatures> <high speed>

: having great force <high winds>

: pitched or sounding above some other sound <a high note> <a high voice>

: very serious <high crimes>

: of the best quality <high art>

: rich in quality <high living>

Synonym Discussion of HIGH

high, tall, and lofty mean above the usual level in height. high is used of height that is measured from the ground or some other standard. <A high fence surrounds the yard.> tall is used of something that is considered high when compared to others of the same kind. <He's tall for his age.> lofty is used of something that rises to a grand or impressive height. <They soared over lofty mountains.>