First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
1
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>
2
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>
3
: elevated in pitch <a high note>
4
: relatively far from the equator <high latitude>
5
: rich in quality : luxurious <high living>
6
: slightly tainted <high game>; also : malodorous <smelled rather high>
7
: exalted in character : noble <high purposes>
8
: of greater degree, amount, cost, value, or content than average, usual, or expected <high prices>
9
: 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>
11
: stressing matters of doctrine and ceremony; specifically : high church
12
a : filled with or expressing great joy or excitement <high spirits> b : intoxicated; also : excited or stupefied by or as if by a drug
13
: 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
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
1
: at or to a high place, altitude, level, or degree <climbed higher> <passions ran high>
2
: 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
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
1
2
: a region of high barometric pressure —called also anticyclone
3
4
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
HIGH[1] Defined for Kids
1high
adjective \ˈhī\
high·erhigh·est
Definition of HIGH for Kids
1
: extending to a great distance above the ground <high mountains>
2
: having a specified elevation : tall <The building is 50 stories high.>
3
: of greater degree, size, amount, or cost than average <high temperatures> <high speed>
4
: having great force <high winds>
5
: pitched or sounding above some other sound <a high note> <a high voice>
6
: very serious <high crimes>
7
: of the best quality <high art>
8
: 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.>
2high
adverb
higherhighest
Definition of HIGH for Kids
: at or to a high place or degree <She jumped higher than the others.>
3high
noun
Definition of HIGH for Kids
1
: a high point or level <Prices reached a new high.>
2
: a region of high barometric pressure <A strong high brought clear skies.>
3
: the arrangement of gears in an automobile giving the highest speed of travel
— on high
: in the sky : up above <clouds on high>
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