high

1. 1

   Physically elevated, extending above a base or average level:; Very elevated; extending or being far above a base; tall; lofty.

   • The balloon rose high in the sky. The wall was high. a high mountain
2. 2

   Physically elevated, extending above a base or average level:; Relatively elevated; rising or raised above the average or normal level from which elevation is measured.

   • She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive.
   • A nightgown with a high neck and long sleeves may have the fullness set into a yoke.
3. 3

   Physically elevated, extending above a base or average level:; Of a ball, above the batter's shoulders.

   • the pitch (or: the ball) was high
4. 4

   Physically elevated, extending above a base or average level:; Pertaining to (or, especially of a language: spoken in) an area which is at a greater elevation, for example more mountainous, than other regions.

5. 5

   Having a specified elevation or height; tall.

   • three feet high three Mount Everests high
6. 6

   Elevated in status, esteem, or prestige, or in importance or development; exalted in rank, station, or character.

   • The oldest of the elves' royal family still conversed in High Elvish.
7. 7

   Elevated in status, esteem, or prestige, or in importance or development; exalted in rank, station, or character.; Most exalted; foremost.

   • the high priest, the high officials of the court, the high altar
8. 8

   Elevated in status, esteem, or prestige, or in importance or development; exalted in rank, station, or character.; Of great importance and consequence: grave (if negative) or solemn (if positive).

   • high crimes, the high festival of the sun
9. 9

   Elevated in status, esteem, or prestige, or in importance or development; exalted in rank, station, or character.; Consummate; advanced (e.g. in development) to the utmost extent or culmination, or possessing a quality in its supreme degree, at its zenith.

   • 1709-1710, Thomas Baker, Reflections on Learning High sauces and rich spices are fetch'd from the Indies.
10. 10

    Elevated in status, esteem, or prestige, or in importance or development; exalted in rank, station, or character.; Advanced in complexity (and hence potentially abstract and/or difficult to comprehend).

    • to hear and answer such high things
    • Plain living and high thinking are no more.

syn. haute · hawt · tall · drunk

ant. low

1. 1

   In or to an elevated position.

   • How high above land did you fly?
   • The desks were piled high with magazines.
2. 2

   In or at a great value.

   • Costs have grown higher this year again.
3. 3

   At a pitch of great frequency.

   • I certainly can't sing that high.

1. 1

   A high point or position, literally (as, an elevated place; a superior region; a height; the sky; heaven) or figuratively (as, a point of success or achievement; a time when things are at their best, greatest, most numerous, maximum, etc).countable

   • It was one of the highs of his career.
   • Inflation reached a ten-year high.
2. 2

   A high point or position, literally (as, an elevated place; a superior region; a height; the sky; heaven) or figuratively (as, a point of success or achievement; a time when things are at their best, greatest, most numerous, maximum, etc).; The maximum atmospheric temperature recorded at a particular location, especially during one 24-hour period.countableuncountable

   • Today's high was 32 °C.
3. 3

   A period of euphoria, from excitement or from an intake of drugs.countable

   • That pill gave me a high for a few hours, before I had a comedown.
4. 4

   A drug that gives such a high.countable

   • No sooner has a [synthetic] drug been blacklisted than chemists adjust their recipe and start churning out a subtly different one. These “legal highs” are sold for the few months it takes the authorities to identify and ban them, and then t
5. 5

   A large area of elevated atmospheric pressure; an anticyclone.countableinformal

   • A large high is centred on the Azores.
6. 6

   The highest card dealt or drawn.countable

7. 7

   Ellipsis of high school.abbreviationalt-ofcountable

   • He’s the old man’s only son. Some baby! Yep, right behind ya. Nope, he donno me. I was in Grammar when he was in High.
   • The high school experience is one unmatched and irreplaceable. Its effects on our lives continue long after walking through our high’s doorways one last time.

1. 1

   To rise.obsolete

   • The sun higheth.

1. 1

   Alternative form of hie (“to hasten”).alt-ofalternativeobsolete