high
high
I
/ˈhaı/ adj , high·er, -est
1 a : rising or extending upward a great distance
high mountains/peaks
a high [=tall] building
a high fly ball
— opposite low
1 b : extending or reaching upward more than other things of the same kind
high boots
a high collar
a high fence
high [=tall] grass
— opposite low
1 c : located far above the ground or another surface
high clouds/altitudes
The sun was high [=far above the horizon] in the eastern sky.
The apartment has high ceilings.
The cat was found high (up) in the tree.
The airplane was high above the clouds.
— opposite low
1 d : having a specified height
The bush is six feet high.
a building 100 stories high
The grass was knee-high. [=the grass reached a person's knees]
waist-high water
— see also sky-high
1 e always used before a noun : rising above surrounding land
They have a home in the high country.
the high plains
The houses are built on high ground.
— opposite low
2 a : greater than usual in amount, number, or degree
They were traveling at a high (rate of) speed. = They were traveling at high speed.
They reached speeds as high as 100 mph.
He's being treated for high blood pressure.
high cholesterol
a high fever
She earns a high salary.
high anxiety
high heat/humidity/temperatures
high interest rates
high intelligence
His books are in high demand.
We liked the house, but the price was too high.
He has received high praise for his efforts to help the homeless.
They are paying him a high compliment.
— opposite low
2 b : near or at the top of a range
Temperatures were in the high 80s. [=were around 87‒89]
— opposite low
3 a : very favorable
He holds you in high regard/esteem. = He has a high opinion of you. [=he thinks highly of you; he regards you favorably]
They started their trip with high hopes/expectations. [=they started their trip hoping/expecting that it would go well]
Hopes are high that the strike will be settled soon.
All the children were in high spirits [=were very happy and excited] on the last day of school.
— opposite low
3 b : very good
We manufacture products of high quality.
He got high marks/grades throughout college.
high morale
Our vacation ended on a high note. [=it ended in a pleasant or enjoyable way]
Our trip to the museum was the high point [=the most enjoyable part] of our vacation.
— opposite low
3 c : morally good
She is a woman of high character.
high ideals/principles
high standards of conduct
— opposite low
4 : above others in power, importance, etc.
high officials = officials of high rank = high-ranking officials
The decision will be reviewed by a higher court.
Losing weight is a high priority for him.
He has friends in high places. [=he has friends who have power and influence]
He is high on the list of possible candidates for the job. [=he is considered to be a very good choice for the job]
— opposite low
5 : not low in sound
a high voice
: occurring near the top of the musical scale
a high note
— opposite low
6 always used before a noun : very strong or forceful
high winds/explosives
7 : having qualities that appeal to intelligent people
high art
high comedy
— opposite low
8 always used before a noun : filled with the most activity
The rates at the resort are more expensive during (the) high season. [=the season when it is most busy or popular]
The town is filled with tourists in high summer. [=in the middle of summer]
9 always used before a noun : of or relating to people who have and spend a lot of money on travel, good food, etc. : rich and luxurious
high society/living
the high life
10 : very exciting or intense
high adventure
The hostage crisis has provided many moments of high drama. [=many highly dramatic moments]
11 of a river, stream, etc. : rising farther up the banks than usual : having more water than usual
The river is high.
— opposite low
12 not used before a noun informal : intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
All he wanted to do was to get high.
He was as high as a kite. [=very high; very drunk or intoxicated]
— often + on
He was high on cocaine.
come hell or high water — see hell
high and mighty
informal
1 : having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better or more important than other people
He's not so high and mighty now that he needs our help.
I can't stand her when she acts/gets (all) high and mighty like that.
2 the high and (the) mighty : people who are important and powerful
She likes to rub elbows with the high and mighty.
high in
: containing a large amount of (something)
These vegetables are high in nitrogen.
a diet high in fiber
high on
US informal : excited or enthusiastic about (someone or something)
The coach is very high on this new player.
Party leaders are high on her prospects.
in high dudgeon — see dudgeon
it's high time
informal
◇ If it's high time to do something, it is time to do something that should have been done a long time ago.
It's high time we made some changes around here.
It's high time (that) you cleaned your room.
pay a high price — see pay, 1
to high heaven(s) — see heaven
synonyms
A high fence surrounded the house.
tall buildings
She is tall for her age.
lofty mountains
————————
II
adv , high·er, -est
1 : at or to a high place or level
The painter climbed high on the ladder.
The hawks were circling high in the air/sky.
The letters were stacked high on the table.
a high-flying airplane
If you want to be successful, you have to aim high. [=you have to be ambitious]
2 : at a high rate
Don't value yourself too high. [=highly]
a high-paid lawyer
3 : at a high price
buy low and sell high
4 informal : in a rich manner : in the manner of people who have and spend a lot of money
He is living pretty high.
be riding high — see ride, 1
fly high — see fly, 1
high and dry
: in a helpless position : without help or protection
The company suddenly went out of business and left its customers high and dry.
high and low
: everywhere
They've searched/looked high and low for a new car that they can afford.
high off the hog (
US informal : in a luxurious style
Those movie stars live pretty high off the hog.
hold your head (up) high — see head, 1
run high — see run, 1
set the bar higher — see bar, 1
————————
III
noun , pl highs
1 [ count ] : a high point or level
Oil prices reached a new high last winter.
an all-time/record high
She achieved a career high in points [=she scored more points than she ever had before] in last night's game.
The high [=the highest temperature] today was 75.
The forecast is for showers with highs in the 70s.
He talked about the highs and lows [=the good parts and bad parts] of his college years.
2 [ noncount ] US : a gear that is used for faster speeds of travel in a vehicle
He shifted into high.
— called also (US) high gear
3 [ count ] informal : a state of intoxication produced by a drug
The high only lasted a few minutes.
4 [ count ] weather : an area of high atmospheric pressure
A strong high brought clear skies and warm temperatures.
from on high
1 a : from God or heaven
He claimed to have heard a voice from on high.
1 b : from people with power or authority
orders from on high
2 : from a high place
We looked down from on high at the lush valley.
on a high
informal : feeling happy and excited
He was on a high after receiving the promotion.
on high
: in the sky : up above
the clouds on high
: in heaven
the gods on high
