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Glite Dictionary
high tech

high tech

11 3.8
Technology that uses very new electronic devices and computers
  • noun
  • /haɪ tɛk/
translation icon : alta tecnología
  • The new smartphone features high tech innovations that enhance user experience.

Examples

  • I started a new high tech mobile enterprise software company, right?

  • Newcastle has developed a successful business in the high-tech arena, Subsea Technology.

    Blog text (21)

  • This place is so high tech.

    All I Want Is You (2023)

  • It's all very high tech.

    Momentum (2015)

  • Overall capacity in high tech manufacturing industries rose nearly 50% last year.

    Cypher (2002)

  • The possibilities range from high tech to low tech.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Asus has given me its latest high tech product.

  • I mean one of the largest exporters in the world of of high tech medical equipment is Israel.

  • The company sells 24 classes of products, some of which are considered high tech and some of which rely on mature technology.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The good news is the decline is reversing: U.S. high-tech manufacturers added over 200,000 jobs in 2011.

    Blog text (20)

Synonyms

tech
vshigh tech
482 3.7

Modern electronic devices and systems used for work, study, or entertainment

denotes a higher level of advancement focused on electronics or computing
advanced technology
vshigh tech
  • Specialized
20 3.7

Modern machines and systems that use the newest science and engineering

focuses more narrowly on electronics and computing rather than all fields
high technology
vshigh tech
15 4.1

Very advanced machines and equipment that use the latest electronics

is the same meaning but often used as a shorter, less formal term

Antonyms

low-tech
18 3.8

Using simple tools and methods instead of new technology

How Advanced

cutting-edge
49 5.6
high tech
11 3.8
advanced
71 4.7
conventional
175 2.8
obsolete
93 5.8

Surface Forms

high tech singular
high techs plural

Morphology

high + tech

The meaning 'highly advanced technology' is directly and predictably built from 'high' (above normal/intense) + 'tech' (technology), so the overall sense is compositional. This adjective+noun compound follows a common cross-linguistic pattern and would be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

High tech comes from joining high (meaning 'above' or 'very advanced') with tech (short for 'technology'), which gives the picture of machines and tools that are ahead of normal ones, so it means 'very advanced technology'.