taller
Definition
- Adjective (Comparative form of "tall"):
- Greater in height: "Taller" describes a person or object that has more height than another person or object being compared.
- More elevated: "Taller" can refer to something that reaches a higher point relative to a baseline or reference point.
Usage Instructions
- Use "taller" when comparing exactly two things or groups of things.
- When comparing, it is common to use the word "than" after "taller" to introduce the second item in the comparison.
- Do not use "more" before "taller," as it is already the comparative form of the adjective "tall."
Examples
- (My brother has more height than I do.)
- (The oak tree reaches a higher point than the willow tree.)
- (Between the two specific candidates, she has more height.)
Advanced Usage
- "Taller by a head": Used to emphasize a significant difference in height.
- He is taller by a head than his father. (He is much taller than his father.)
- "Standing taller": Used metaphorically to mean feeling more confident or proud.
- After the promotion, she walked into the office standing taller. (She walked with more confidence.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tall (adj): Having a greater than average height.
- Tallest (adj): The superlative form, used to describe the one with the greatest height among three or more items.
- Tallness (n): The state or quality of having a large height.
Synonyms
- Higher: Extending further upward.
- Loftier: Extending to a great height (often used for buildings or mountains).
- Longer: Sometimes used in specific contexts (like legs or fingers) to describe vertical dimension.
Idioms
- "Stand tall": To behave with confidence and pride, or to defend one's beliefs.
- Even when criticized, he continued to stand tall. (He remained confident and stood by his principles.)