Definition

Noun: 1. A person of great ability and ambition: A highly successful, talented, and ambitious individual who achieves a high position or status, often in business, academics, or a profession. This term often implies rapid advancement and exceptional performance.

Usage

The word "highflier" (also spelled "highflyer") is used to describe a person who is exceptionally capable and driven, rising quickly to prominence in their field. It carries a generally positive connotation of success and talent, though it can sometimes imply a focus on career advancement or a fast-paced lifestyle.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The company's management training program is designed to attract and develop highfliers.
  • Even in university, she was known as a highflier, winning every academic prize.
  • The finance sector is full of young highfliers aiming for top positions.

Advanced Usage

• Corporate/Professional Context: Most commonly used in business and professional environments to label employees with high potential for leadership.
  • He was marked as a highflier early in his career and was promoted twice in one year.
• Implied Pace and Trajectory: The term often suggests not just success, but rapid ascent.
  • The startup is run by a team of highfliers who turned the idea into a global brand in just five years.

Variants and Related Words

• Highflyer: An alternative spelling of "highflier." Both spellings are correct.
• High-flying (adjective): Used to describe the person or their activities.
  • She leads a high-flying lifestyle, traveling constantly for her executive role.
• Go-getter (noun): A similarly ambitious and energetic person, though it may emphasize initiative more than proven high achievement.
• Achiever (noun): A more general term for someone who achieves success.

Synonyms

• Overachiever: Someone who achieves more than is expected. Can sometimes have a slight nuance of working excessively hard.
• Whiz kid: A young person who is exceptionally skilled or successful, especially in technology or business.
• Rising star: A person who is rapidly gaining fame or success in their field.

Antonyms

• Underachiever: A person who performs below their potential.
• Slacker: A person who avoids work or effort.
• Plodder: A person who makes slow, steady, but unremarkable progress.

Noun

1. a person of great ability and ambition