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high

high

∞ 2.7
Having a very important position or rank
  • adjective
  • /haɪ/
: alto
  • As the concert approaches, the chances for a high-quality performance seem increasingly out of reach.
  • high-level
  • high quality
  • high-stakes

What a complex, high stakes, high consequence job.

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Examples

  • I have faith in a higher power.

  • Police Commissioner Carl Fairbanks, a personal friend of Andrews, says the investigation will receive the department's highest priority.

  • So that I think put that one very high on the list.

  • What a complex, high stakes, high consequence job.

  • Investment in R&D and innovation will bring high skilled, well paid jobs.

  • My first year of teaching was at an urban high school in Atlanta, Georgia.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Readers will be begging for the next episode in this high-quality animated storybook series.

    Academic text (2015)
  • She achieved a position of high authority in the organization after years of hard work.

  • The conference featured speakers of the highest renown in the field, attracting many attendees.

  • Their project received the highest accolades from industry experts for its innovation and quality.

Synonyms

high-level
vshigh
264 4.2

Something important that involves senior people in an organization

focuses on holding a top position or status rather than matters
upper
vshigh
220 1.9

Higher in rank or position than others

emphasizes being of great standing or importance overall
ranking
vshigh
153 4.5

A person who has a high position in an organization

is broader applying to importance and quality beyond rank
high-ranking
vshigh
80 4.2

A person who has an important senior job in an organization

applies more generally beyond just organizational posts
high-powered
vshigh
62 4.4

Very strong and effective for machines, people, or actions

refers specifically to holding top status rather than sheer power or energy
51 4.2

Having more power than other people in an organization

describes top importance itself rather than only a relative comparison
lofty
vshigh
  • Formal
42 5.1

Showing high moral ideas or aims that seem admirable and often not realistic

is about official rank or importance rather than noble ideals
eminent
vshigh
  • Formal
32 5.6

A person who is well known and respected in their field

focuses on a top position and rank rather than public fame
upper-level
vshigh
18 4.6

A part of an organization that is at a higher position

refers to the actual important position rather than just the tier
elevated
vshigh
  • Literature
7 6.7

High in moral, intellectual or artistic value

applies to social or official position rather than artistic or moral quality
ascendant
vshigh
5 7.9

Having greater power or influence than others

refers to an established position of importance rather than a rising one
high on the totem pole
vshigh
  • Informal
1 7.9

In a position of power or importance in a group

uses neutral formal language for the same position of importance
ascendent
vshigh
1 7.9

Having more power or influence than others

is used for a general position of importance rather than temporary influence

Antonyms

102 4.1

Not important or too small to matter

49 4.2

A person of low rank or importance, for example a servant

Idioms

on high
  • Literature
89 7.4

To be at the top of a place or feel very excited, sometimes meaning from a power above

high time
  • Informal
36 3.8

The moment when something should finally happen because it is overdue

31 6.0

A choice to do the right thing instead of getting revenge

high horse
  • Informal
29 8.1

Acting as if better than other people

To do the right thing and not respond angrily

23 4.4

Raised up so people can see it and feel proud

high and dry
  • Informal
17 6.3

Someone has no help or basic things in a difficult situation

12 9.0

A state of great excitement and happiness, sometimes from drinking alcohol or taking drugs

Showing pride and confidence when facing difficulty

11 8.4

Says that something will be done no matter what problems happen

9 3.9

Make a high goal for others to reach

to high heaven
  • Informal
9 7.2

Extremely, often in a loud or very strong way

To finish in a successful, happy way

8 8.3

No matter what happens or how difficult it is

high and low
  • Informal
8 3.6

In many different places

5 8.1

Have a very strong bad smell or seem very wrong

Feeling very happy and full of energy

5 4.4

Working very fast and doing everything needed

on your high horse
  • Offensive
4 8.6

Acting like you are better than other people

To act as if you are better than others and tell them they are wrong

high on life
  • Slang
3 7.5

Feeling very happy and excited for no clear reason

3 8.2

Have a very comfortable life with lots of money

To buy something when its price is low and sell it later to make money

high dudgeon
  • Archaic
2 9.9

A proud feeling of strong anger that someone shows to others

1 3.9

To search everywhere for something that is lost

Very small and young, especially a child

1 7.9

In a position of power or importance in a group

in high cotton
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Living in comfort with plenty of money

Keep a morally better or stronger position in an argument

1 9.5

In a risky situation that could end badly

To stop acting like you are better than other people

9.9

Enjoying a comfortable and rich life after hard times

To feel too proud of your own work or ideas and ignore other people's advice

Stop acting as if you are better than others

high nelly
  • Archaic
9.9

In a showy way to attract attention

Act proudly and confidently, not ashamed

To be in a risky situation that needs great care to avoid failure

Act with dignity and good behavior when others act mean or unfair

Compounds

∞ 1.0

A school for teenagers about 14 to 18 years old before college

264 4.2

Something important that involves senior people in an organization

223 3.8

Technology that uses very new electronic devices and computers

198 3.6

A job or position that gets a lot of public attention

189 3.9

Using very new electronic and computer equipment

160 3.2

Able to work or move much faster than normal

154 2.7

Very good and done with care

148 4.4

Likely to cause big loss or danger

147 2.0

A school for students around 12 to 14 years old before high school

68 4.5

The top group of judges in a country or state that hears the most important cases and appeals

62 4.4

Very strong and effective for machines, people, or actions

61 1.8

A school for students aged about 12 to 15 after elementary school

60 2.7

Shoes for women with a raised back that lifts the back of the foot above the toes

high five
  • Informal
59 2.6

A gesture two people make by slapping raised open hands together to celebrate

58 2.6

Something that is very good and lasts a long time

high blood pressure
  • Specialized
54 2.8

A condition in which blood pushes too hard against vessel walls and increases health risks

51 2.7

The highest number of points a player gets in a game or competition

48 2.3

At a great height above the ground

43 7.1

A person with an important job in an organization

A higher than normal level of heat in the air

39 2.1

A school for older teens, usually in grades 9 to 12

39 3.7

A sound or voice that is very high and sharp

high ground
  • Informal
38 4.2

An advantage in an argument or moral debate

38 3.4

A thin, sharp sound at the top of a voice, like a mosquito buzz

38 4.2

Located high above sea level

37 1.8

A school for teenagers who study grades nine to twelve after middle school

36 7.2

A senior religious leader who leads important ceremonies for a religion

36 1.6

A very strong wind that can blow down trees and cause damage

34 4.2

Making you pay a lot of interest on borrowed money

33 3.6

A time when people are extra ready and careful because of danger

33 3.3

The most exciting or important part of an experience

32 1.8

The time when the sea reaches its highest level

high-five
  • Informal
32 2.0

A gesture where two people each raise one hand and slap palms to celebrate

high-resolution
  • Specialized
30 3.8

A picture or screen that shows very clear, sharp detail

29 5.6

A person who gambles or spends very large amounts of money, often in casinos

A person you dated in high school who you remember fondly

26 4.8

A group of top leaders who have the most power in an army or organization

high-and-mighty
  • Offensive
25 8.2

Acting as if you are better than other people

25 3.0

A tall building with many floors that holds homes or offices

That works much faster, with more power, or more efficiently than normal

high sea
  • Specialized
23 4.6

An area of the sea outside any country's waters

A sound made by very fast vibrations that we hear as high

21 3.7

A forward setting in a vehicle that lets it go fastest with low engine speed

20 4.3

Producing a large amount of crops, goods, or money compared with others

20 2.7

A woman's shoe that raises the back of the foot high

Very advanced machines and equipment that use the latest electronics

18 4.1

Expensive, trend-setting clothing and accessories made by top designers

high-voltage
  • Specialized
17 4.2

A thing that uses very strong electric power

17 3.7

Very active and full of strong, lively energy

high explosive
  • Specialized
17 5.8

A very strong chemical that explodes quickly and makes a lot of gas and energy

17 3.9

The exact middle of the day at 12 o'clock often used for dramatic meetings

high-energy
  • Specialized
15 7.3

Having very large energy levels in physics

15 3.2

A strong feeling of being very happy and excited

high-energy
  • Specialized
15 4.9

A substance that gives off a large amount of energy when it reacts

high-maintenance
  • Informal
15 6.7

Needing a lot of care and attention

14 3.4

The time when the tide reaches its highest level

13 4.2

A group of rich, fashionable people with social influence

13 5.5

Using strong pushy ways to make someone buy or agree

13 5.6

A life of luxury with expensive things and many pleasures

12 5.7

Moving or working much faster than similar things

12 3.5

Reaching up to the knees

11 6.1

A difficult standard to reach

11 6.8

A senior diplomat who represents one Commonwealth country in another

10 3.3

The main street in a town where most shops and banks are

9 4.4

A position of respect and importance in society or at work

9 6.8

Full of strong energy and excitement

9 6.6

A tight rope high above the ground that acrobats walk on

8 2.6

An athletic event where athletes jump over a horizontal bar without knocking it down

8 3.2

A television that shows much clearer and more detailed pictures than regular TV

high treason
  • Formal
8 8.8

A crime of betraying someone's country by trying to overthrow the government or help its enemies

8 3.5

A bright headlight setting that lights far ahead for night driving

A shoe with a high heel that makes the heel higher than the toes

7 4.4

A person or work that shows very good skill

How Important

prestigious
118 5.6
eminent
  • Formal
32 5.6
distinguished
  • Formal
142 4.8
high
∞ 2.7
important
∞ 1.0
prominent
311 3.9
notable
114 3.7

Surface Forms

high positive
higher comparative
highest superlative

Etymology

High originally meant 'elevated' (from old English heah) and this image of being above others helps us remember why high can mean important or of great rank. So a high position is one that is above others in status or quality.