higher , comparative highest superlative having a great or considerable extent or reach upward or vertically; lofty; tall. a high wall. Antonyms: low having a great or considerable extent or reach upward or vertically; lofty; tall. having a specified extent upward. The apple tree is now 20 feet high. having a specified extent upward. The apple tree is now 20 feet high. situated above the ground or some base; elevated. a high platform; a high ledge. situated above the ground or some base; elevated. a high platform; exceeding the common degree or measure; strong; intense. high speed; high color. exceeding the common degree or measure; strong; intense. expensive; costly; dear. The price of food these days is much too high. expensive; costly; dear. The price of food these days is much too high. exalted in rank, station, eminence, etc.; of exalted character or quality. a high official; high society. Synonyms: distinguished , prominent , eminent , elevated exalted in rank, station, eminence, etc.; of exalted character or quality. a high official; Music. acute in pitch. a little sharp, or above the desired pitch. acute in pitch. acute in pitch. a little sharp, or above the desired pitch. a little sharp, or above the desired pitch. produced by relatively rapid vibrations; shrill. the high sounds of crickets. produced by relatively rapid vibrations; shrill. the high sounds of crickets. extending to or from an elevation. a high dive. extending to or from an elevation. great in quantity, as number, degree, or force. a high temperature; high cholesterol. great in quantity, as number, degree, or force. a high temperature; high cholesterol. Religion. chief; principal; main. the high altar of a church. High Church. chief; principal; main. the high altar of a church. chief; principal; main. the high altar of a church. of great consequence; important; grave; serious; the high consequences of such a deed; high treason. Synonyms: capital of great consequence; important; grave; serious; the high consequences of such a deed; haughty; arrogant. He took a high tone with his subordinates. haughty; arrogant. He took a high tone with his subordinates. advanced to the utmost extent or to the culmination. high tide. advanced to the utmost extent or to the culmination. elevated; merry or hilarious. high spirits; a high old time. elevated; merry or hilarious. a high old time. rich; extravagant; luxurious. They have indulged in high living for years. rich; extravagant; luxurious. They have indulged in high living for years. Informal. intoxicated with alcohol or narcotics. He was so high he couldn't stand up. Informal. intoxicated with alcohol or narcotics. He was so high he couldn't stand up. remote. high latitude; high antiquity. high antiquity. extreme in opinion or doctrine, especially religious or political. a high Tory. extreme in opinion or doctrine, especially religious or political. designating or pertaining to highland or inland regions. designating or pertaining to highland or inland regions. having considerable energy or potential power. having considerable energy or potential power. Automotive. of, relating to, or operating at the gear transmission ratio at which the speed of the engine crankshaft and of the drive shaft most closely correspond. high gear. Automotive. of, relating to, or operating at the gear transmission ratio at which the speed of the engine crankshaft and of the drive shaft most closely correspond. Phonetics. (of a vowel) articulated with the upper surface of the tongue relatively close to some portion of the palate, as the vowels of eat and it, which are high front, and those of boot and put, which are high back. Phonetics. (of a vowel) articulated with the upper surface of the tongue relatively close to some portion of the palate, as the vowels of eat and it, which are high front, and those of boot and put, which are high back. (of meat, especially game) tending toward a desirable or undesirable amount of decomposition; slightly tainted. He likes his venison high. (of meat, especially game) tending toward a desirable or undesirable amount of decomposition; slightly tainted. He likes his venison high. Metallurgy. containing a relatively large amount of a specified constituent (usually used in combination). high-carbon steel. Metallurgy. containing a relatively large amount of a specified constituent (usually used in combination). high-carbon steel. Baseball. (of a pitched ball) crossing the plate at a level above the batter's shoulders. The pitch was high and outside. Baseball. (of a pitched ball) crossing the plate at a level above the batter's shoulders. The pitch was high and outside. Cards. having greater value than other denominations or suits. able to take a trick; being a winning card. being or having a winning combination. Whose hand is high? having greater value than other denominations or suits. having greater value than other denominations or suits. able to take a trick; being a winning card. able to take a trick; being a winning card. being or having a winning combination. Whose hand is high? being or having a winning combination. Whose hand is high? Nautical. noting a wind of force 10 on the Beaufort scale, equal to a whole gale. Nautical. noting a wind of force 10 on the Beaufort scale, equal to a whole gale. at or to a high point, place, or level. at or to a high point, place, or level. in or to a high rank or estimate. He aims high in his political ambitions. in or to a high rank or estimate. He aims high in his political ambitions. at or to a high amount or price. at or to a high amount or price. in or to a high degree. in or to a high degree. luxuriously; richly; extravagantly. They have always lived high. luxuriously; richly; extravagantly. They have always lived high. Nautical. as close to the wind as is possible while making headway with sails full. Nautical. as close to the wind as is possible while making headway with sails full. Automotive. high gear. He shifted into high when the road became level. Automotive. high gear. He shifted into high when the road became level. Informal. high school . Informal. high school . Meteorology. a pressure system characterized by relatively high pressure at its center. Meteorology. a pressure system characterized by relatively high pressure at its center. a high or the highest point, place, or level; peak. a record high for unemployment. a high or the highest point, place, or level; peak. a record high for unemployment. Slang. a euphoric state induced by alcohol, drugs, etc. a period of sustained excitement, exhilaration, or the like. After winning the lottery he was on a high for weeks. a euphoric state induced by alcohol, drugs, etc. a euphoric state induced by alcohol, drugs, etc. a period of sustained excitement, exhilaration, or the like. After winning the lottery he was on a high for weeks. a period of sustained excitement, exhilaration, or the like. After winning the lottery he was on a high for weeks. Cards. the ace or highest trump out, especially in games of the all fours family. Cards. the ace or highest trump out, especially in games of the all fours family. fly high , to be full of hope or elation. His stories began to sell, and he was flying high. fly high , to be full of hope or elation. His stories began to sell, and he was flying high. on high , at or to a height; above. in heaven. having a high position, as one who makes important decisions. the powers on high. at or to a height; above. at or to a height; above. having a high position, as one who makes important decisions. the powers on high. having a high position, as one who makes important decisions. the powers on high. high and dry , (of a ship) grounded so as to be entirely above water at low tide. in a deprived or distressing situation; deserted ; stranded . We missed the last bus and were left high and dry. (of a ship) grounded so as to be entirely above water at low tide. (of a ship) grounded so as to be entirely above water at low tide. in a deprived or distressing situation; deserted ; stranded . We missed the last bus and were left high and dry. in a deprived or distressing situation; deserted ; stranded . We missed the last bus and were left high and dry. high on , enthusiastic or optimistic about; having a favorable attitude toward or opinion of. high on , enthusiastic or optimistic about; having a favorable attitude toward or opinion of. high and low , in every possible place; everywhere. The missing jewelry was never found, though we searched high and low for it. high and low , in every possible place; everywhere. The missing jewelry was never found, though we searched high and low for it. being a relatively great distance from top to bottom; tall a high building being a relatively great distance from top to bottom; tall a high building situated at or extending to a relatively great distance above the ground or above sea level a high plateau situated at or extending to a relatively great distance above the ground or above sea level (postpositive) being a specified distance from top to bottom three feet high ( in combination ) a seven-foot-high wall (postpositive) being a specified distance from top to bottom three feet high (postpositive) being a specified distance from top to bottom three feet high ( in combination ) a seven-foot-high wall ( in combination ) a seven-foot-high wall extending from an elevation a high dive extending from an elevation

(in combination) coming up to a specified level knee-high (in combination) coming up to a specified level being at its peak or point of culmination high noon being at its peak or point of culmination of greater than average height a high collar of greater than average height greater than normal in degree, intensity, or amount high prices a high temperature a high wind greater than normal in degree, intensity, or amount a high temperature of large or relatively large numerical value high frequency high voltage high mileage of large or relatively large numerical value (of sound) acute in pitch; having a high frequency (of sound) acute in pitch; having a high frequency (of latitudes) situated relatively far north or south from the equator (of latitudes) situated relatively far north or south from the equator (of meat) slightly decomposed or tainted, regarded as enhancing the flavour of game (of meat) slightly decomposed or tainted, regarded as enhancing the flavour of game of great eminence; very important the high priestess of great eminence; very important the high priestess exalted in style or character; elevated high drama exalted in style or character; elevated expressing or feeling contempt or arrogance high words expressing or feeling contempt or arrogance elated; cheerful high spirits elated; cheerful informal (predicative) overexcited by the end of term the children are really high informal (predicative) overexcited by the end of term the children are really high informal being in a state of altered consciousness, characterized esp by euphoria and often induced by the use of alcohol, narcotics, etc informal being in a state of altered consciousness, characterized esp by euphoria and often induced by the use of alcohol, narcotics, etc luxurious or extravagant high life luxurious or extravagant advanced in complexity or development high finance advanced in complexity or development (of a gear) providing a relatively great forward speed for a given engine speed Compare low 1 (of a gear) providing a relatively great forward speed for a given engine speed Compare low 1 phonetics of, relating to, or denoting a vowel whose articulation is produced by raising the back of the tongue towards the soft palate or the blade towards the hard palate, such as for the ee in English see or oo in English moon Compare low 1 phonetics of, relating to, or denoting a vowel whose articulation is produced by raising the back of the tongue towards the soft palate or the blade towards the hard palate, such as for the ee in English see or oo in English moon Compare low 1 (capital when part of name) formal and elaborate in style High Mass (capital when part of name) formal and elaborate in style (usually capital) of or relating to the High Church (usually capital) of or relating to the High Church remote, esp in time remote, esp in time cards having a relatively great value in a suit able to win a trick having a relatively great value in a suit having a relatively great value in a suit able to win a trick able to win a trick stranded; helpless; destitute stranded; helpless; destitute in all places; everywhere in all places; everywhere informal arrogant informal arrogant informal very drunk overexcited euphoric from drugs euphoric from drugs euphoric from drugs a favourable opinion a favourable opinion at or to a height he jumped high at or to a height in a high manner in a high manner nautical close to the wind with sails full nautical close to the wind with sails full a high place or level a high place or level informal a state of altered consciousness, often induced by alcohol, narcotics, etc informal a state of altered consciousness, often induced by alcohol, narcotics, etc another word for anticyclone another word for anticyclone short for high school short for high school (capital) (esp in Oxford) the High Street (capital) (esp in Oxford) the High Street electronics the voltage level in a logic circuit corresponding to logical one Compare low 1 electronics the voltage level in a logic circuit corresponding to logical one Compare low 1 at a height in heaven More idioms and phrases containing high friend in court (high places) hell or high water hit the high spots (points) hold one's head high in high dudgeon knee-high to a grasshopper on one's high horse stink to high heaven think a lot (highly) of turn on (get high) High, lofty, tall, towering refer to something that has considerable height. High is a general term, and denotes either extension upward or position at a considerable height: six feet high; a high shelf. Lofty denotes imposing or even inspiring height: lofty crags. Tall is applied either to something that is high in proportion to its breadth, or to anything higher than the average of its kind: a tall tree, building. Towering is applied to something that rises to a great or conspicuous height as compared with something else: a towering mountain. Other Word Forms overhigh adjective overhighly adverb Inflected Forms higher comparative highest superlative First recorded before 900; Middle English heigh, variant of hegh, hey, heh, Old English hēah, hēh; cognate with Dutch hoog, Old High German hoh ( German hoch ), Old Norse hār, Swedish hög, Gothic hauhs, Lithuanian kaũkas “swelling,” kaukarà “hill” Use the adjective high to describe something with a great elevation. If you want to see a really high mountain, you should visit Mount Everest. You can also use high to describe a sound or musical note that is elevated in pitch. Some stores use a high-pitched buzzing sound to keep teenagers from loitering. The noise drives teens crazy, but it doesn't bother their parents, because adults can't hear the high frequency. High also means a state of euphoria. After you win a first place medal at the swim meet, you might be on a high for days. Vocabulary lists containing high Spelling Practice 1, Unit 3 Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide! Example Sentences Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com. See Examples For: The yield on the 30-year bond is hovering near a 19-year high . From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026 The federal district court issued a preliminary injunction partly on this basis, noting the burdens on election administrators were high and the public interest costs dire. From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026 In other words the hurdles they plan, while still ill-defined, look like they might be quite high - and folk in government, publicly and privately, are leaning into making that point. From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026 The New York Times noted that Mackie tried and failed to gain acceptance for his designs "from the frosty corridors of high fashion," but Mackie said he had no regrets for embracing glitz. From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026 “Ahem,” the salty woman says again, nudging one of my backpack straps with the pointed toe of her red patent high heel. From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith Their “road map” to what lies ahead: The S&P 500 stays stuck in a range of 2% higher and 2% lower from August highs, keeping “investors on the sidelines.” From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026 "Psychologically, a Fed hiking cycle rarely does risk assets many favours, particularly if both nominal and real Treasury yields are breaking to new highs and equity markets continue to find sellers into rallies." From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026 Treasury yields in particular after they recently surged to multiyear highs, influenced by inflation concerns caused by Brent crude oil prices jumping well above $100 a barrel and rising rate-hike prospects. From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026 Monday could be even warmer with highs of 22-26C across much of England and Wales, and 20C likely in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026 We sang the highs and the lows with Michael, whose voice was big and filled with pain like he might know what he was singing about. From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia Front-month WTI crude-oil futures are up 1.3% at $102.69 a barrel, while front-month Brent is 1.3% higher at $107.01 a barrel. From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026 That means nearly 40 percent of the individuals carried evidence of plague, a detection rate even higher than that reported at some medieval plague burial sites. From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026 The actual volume of such cases are believed to be even higher, owing to an increasing number of withheld judgments. From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026 “I always spent the end of the day on ‘Widow’s Bay’ going, ‘My God, I’m exhausted’ — because you’re just vibrating on a higher level with Tom,” Rhys said. From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026 Then, as the flames burned higher and hotter, he threw a blanket around his head and went back into the house—for Rowan, in the attic. From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda The US Embassy previously confirmed the staff member had been reassigned to the US but that it expected all personnel to "adhere to the highest standards of conduct". From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026 Oil prices jumped on Monday, with Brent crude, the international benchmark, rising more than 4% to above $109 a barrel, the highest level since May. From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026 “At the end of the day, shoot for the highest rate you can get, with the institution that you know,” he told MarketWatch. From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026 It’s hard to believe that some of television’s finest actors — industry veterans known for iconic shows and critically acclaimed performances — have yet to receive the industry’s highest honor. From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026 It’s one of the highest points in Central Park. From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023 Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Dictionary.com's Learning Companion Go beyond just looking up words. Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.