high
gb/hˈaɪ/ us/hˈaɪ/
A1
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
relation
1
at a great height
Far up from the ground or from the bottom.
Usage pattern:
[something] is high
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'high' and 'tall'; use 'high' for position above ground, 'tall' for vertical size of objects or people.
Synonyms
tall (Often used for people, buildings, or objects; focuses on vertical length rather than position above ground.)
Antonyms
low (Describes being close to the ground or a base level.)
Collocations
high mountain
|high building
|high wall
|high bridge
Themes
geography
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The plane was flying high above the clouds.
- They built a high fence around the garden.
- The tower is so high you can see the whole city from the top.
Learner examples
- The tree is very high.
- That wall is high.
- The kite is high in the sky.
adjective
A2
property
2
large in amount or degree
More than usual in number, level, or strength.
Usage pattern:
[something] is high
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'big' instead of 'high' when talking about measurements or amounts.
Synonyms
elevated (More formal; often used for levels, rates, or status.)
Antonyms
low (Indicates a small amount, level, or degree.)
Collocations
high price
|high temperature
|high speed
|high demand
Themes
measurement
|economics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Gas prices are at an all-time high.
- The patient has a high fever.
- Unemployment is still high in the region.
Learner examples
- The price is too high.
- He has a high temperature.
- The speed is very high.
adjective
informal
B1
state
3
intoxicated or euphoric
Feeling happy or strange because of drugs or alcohol.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is high
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'high' (drug-related) with 'happy' in general contexts; 'high' implies substance influence.
Synonyms
stoned (Informal; specifically refers to being under the influence of cannabis.)
Antonyms
sober (Not affected by alcohol or drugs.)
Collocations
get high
|feel high
|be high
Themes
health
|slang
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was clearly high after the party.
- She gets high on weekends and listens to music.
- The police suspected he was high while driving.
Learner examples
- He is high after smoking.
- She feels high now.
- They got high last night.
Noun
B1
entity
4
peak moment or feeling
The best or happiest moment.
Synonyms
peak (Focuses on the highest point reached in progress or success.)
Antonyms
low point (A time of worst performance or unhappiness.)
Collocations
career high
|emotional high
|natural high
Themes
emotions
|life events
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Winning the championship was the high of his career.
- She felt a natural high after completing the marathon.
- That summer was one of the highs of my life.
Learner examples
- The trip was the high of my year.
- Winning the game was my high.
- It was a career high for him.
adjective
B2
property
5
important in rank or status
Important in position or level.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is high [in something]
Synonyms
senior (Often used for job positions; implies higher rank in an organization.)
Antonyms
low-ranking (Having little importance or authority compared to others.)
Collocations
high official
|high position
|high authority
Themes
society
|business
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She holds a high position in the company.
- The decision was made at a high level of government.
- He is a high-ranking officer in the army.
Learner examples
- He has a high job in the company.
- She is a high officer in the army.
- This is a high position.
Grammar
Dictionary form
high
IPA
GB/hˈaɪ/
US/hˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
high (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (high)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: high
- Comparative: higher
- Superlative: highest
Noun
- Base: high
- Plural: high, highs
Word family
Expressions
get high
1/ɡˈɛt hˈaɪ/
phrasal verb
informal
become intoxicated from drugs/alcohol
To feel strange and happy because of drugs or alcohol.
Examples
- They got high at the party last night.
- He sometimes gets high to relax.
high time
1/hˈaɪ tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
past the right time to act
It is the right time to do something that should have been done earlier.
Examples
- It's high time we fixed that broken window.
- It's high time you started studying for your exams.
on a high note
1/ˈɔn ə hˈaɪ nˈoʊt/
idiom
end successfully or pleasantly
To finish something in a good way.
Examples
- Let's end this meeting on a high note.
- The concert ended on a high note with fireworks.
fly high
1/flˈaɪ hˈaɪ/
idiom
be very successful or happy
To be very successful or feel very happy.
Examples
- Her career is flying high after her latest film.
- He's been flying high since he got promoted.
fly high
2/flˈaɪ hˈaɪ/
idiom
Be successful or happy
To be doing very well or feeling very happy.
Examples
- Her career is flying high after her recent award.
- They were flying high after winning the championship.
high and mighty
1/hˈaɪ ˈænd mˈaɪti/
idiom
informal
acting overly important and proud
Acting as if you are better than other people.
Examples
- Don't get all high and mighty just because you won one game.
- Ever since her promotion, she’s been acting all high and mighty with her old friends.
- She acts all high and mighty at work.
- Don’t get high and mighty with me just because you were right this time.
- The article criticizes politicians who grow high and mighty once they win office.