Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Elevated in position or level: Being at a great vertical distance from the ground or a base level.
   • Greater than normal in degree, intensity, or amount: Exceeding the usual or average level.
   • Of high rank, status, or importance: Occupying a superior or important position.
   • Having a high pitch: Used to describe sounds or voices that are at the upper end of the auditory frequency range.
   • Intoxicated or euphoric: Slightly and pleasantly affected by alcohol or drugs; or in a state of great excitement or happiness.
   • (Of meat) Slightly tainted: Having a strong, often unpleasant smell indicating it is beginning to spoil.

2. Noun:

   • A high point or level: A peak, maximum, or elevated position.
   • A state of euphoria or intoxication: A feeling of excitement, happiness, or altered consciousness, often induced by substances.
   • A high-pressure area in meteorology: An air mass with atmospheric pressure higher than that of surrounding areas.
   • A high gear in a vehicle: A gear that provides the greatest speed for a given engine speed.
   • A high school: A public secondary school.

3. Adverb:

   • At or to a high position, level, or degree: Far above the ground or a base point; to a great degree.
   • In a rich or luxurious manner: Involving great expense or lavishness.
   • At a great altitude: Far above sea level or the earth's surface.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • The plane flew at a high altitude. (Describing great elevation)
  • She has a high temperature. (Describing greater than normal intensity)
  • He holds a high position in the company. (Describing important status)
  • The singer hit a high note perfectly. (Describing sound pitch)
  • They were feeling high after their team's victory. (Describing a state of euphoria)
  • The meat smelled slightly high. (Describing tainted food)

• Noun:

  • Summer temperatures reached an all-time high. (Referring to a peak level)
  • He was on a natural high after completing the marathon. (Referring to a state of elation)
  • A high is moving in, bringing clear weather. (Referring to a meteorological system)
  • Shift the car into high on the highway. (Referring to a gear)
  • She attends the local high. (Referring to a school; informal for 'high school')

• Adverb:

  • The eagle soared high above the mountains. (Indicating great height)
  • Prices have risen too high. (Indicating a great degree or amount)
  • They lived high on their earnings. (Indicating a luxurious lifestyle)
  • He climbed high on the ladder. (Indicating great altitude)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "High and dry": In a difficult situation without help or resources; also literally, stranded out of water.
  • After the funding was cut, the research project was left high and dry.
• "High and mighty": Behaving in a superior and arrogant manner.
  • Ever since his promotion, he's been acting so high and mighty.
• "On a high": Experiencing a period of great excitement, success, or euphoria.
  • The team has been on a high since winning the championship.

Variants and Related Words

• Highly (adverb): To a high degree or level; very.
  • She is highly respected in her field.
• Height (noun): The measurement of how tall something is; a high place.
  • The height of the building is impressive.
• Highness (noun): The quality or state of being high; (capitalized) a title for royalty.
  • Your Highness, the guests have arrived.

Synonyms

• Elevated (adj): Raised up; lofty.
• Tall (adj): Of great height.
• Peak (n): The highest point.
• Elated (adj): Very happy and excited.
• Intoxicated (adj): Affected by alcohol or drugs.

Phrasal Verbs and Common Collocations

• High five (n/v): A gesture of celebration or greeting where two people slap each other's raised palms.
  • They gave each other a high five after scoring the goal.
• Run high: For emotions, tensions, or prices to be intense or at a high level.
  • Feelings ran high during the debate.
• Hold in high regard/esteem: To respect or admire someone greatly.
  • The professor is held in high regard by his students.

Idioms and Fixed Expressions

• It's high time: It is the appropriate time, often later than it should have been.
  • It's high time you cleaned your room.
• High horse: An attitude of moral superiority.
  • He needs to get off his high horse and listen to others.
• For the high jump: In serious trouble or about to be severely reprimanded.
  • If the boss finds out, you'll be for the high jump.
• High stakes: Involving the risk of a very significant gain or loss.
  • This is a high-stakes negotiation.

Adjective

1. slightly and pleasantly intoxicated from alcohol or a drug (especially marijuana)
2. (used of the smell of meat) smelling spoiled or tainted
3. happy and excited and energetic
4. used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency
5. standing above others in quality or position
   • people in high places
   • the high priest
   • eminent members of the community
6. (literal meaning) being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation or upward extension (sometimes used in combinations like `knee-high')
   • a high mountain
   • high ceilings
   • high buildings
   • a high forehead
   • a high incline
   • a foot high
7. greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
   • a high temperature
   • a high price
   • the high point of his career
   • high risks
   • has high hopes
   • the river is high
   • he has a high opinion of himself

Noun

1. a forward gear with a gear ratio that gives the greatest vehicle velocity for a given engine speed
2. a public secondary school usually including grades 9 through 12
   • he goes to the neighborhood highschool
3. a high place
   • they stood on high and observed the countryside
   • he doesn't like heights
4. a state of altered consciousness induced by alcohol or narcotics
   • they took drugs to get a high on
5. a state of sustained elation
   • I'm on a permanent high these days
6. an air mass of higher than normal pressure
   • the east coast benefits from a Bermuda high
7. a lofty level or position or degree
   • summer temperatures reached an all-time high

Adverb

1. far up toward the source
   • he lives high up the river
2. in a rich manner
   • he lives high
3. in or to a high position, amount, or degree
   • prices have gone up far too high
4. at a great altitude
   • he climbed high on the ladder