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Added 7 October 2026

high

/haɪ/ noun

In Latin: altus, celsus, arduus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about high at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A lofty level or position or degree.
summer temperatures reached an all-time high
An air mass of higher than normal pressure.
the east coast benefits from a Bermuda high
A state of sustained elation.
I'm on a permanent high these days

adjective

Greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount.
a high temperature
(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
Standing above others in quality or position.
people in high places

adverb

At a great altitude.
he climbed high on the ladder
In or to a high position, amount, or degree.
prices have gone up far too high
In a rich manner.
he lives high

Origin

From Middle English high, heigh, heih, from Old English hēah (“high, tall, lofty, high-class, exalted, sublime, illustrious, important, proud, haughty, deep, right”), from Proto-West Germanic *hauh (“high”), from Proto-Germanic *hauhaz (“high”), from Proto-Indo-European *kewk- (“to bend; crooked”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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