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Glite Dictionary
highflyer

highflyer

1 6.3
A person who is very successful and wants to achieve a lot
  • noun
  • /ˈhaɪˌflaɪər/
translation icon : triunfador
  • These highflyers will always exist, and their clients will run away from them as soon as one week is over.

Examples

  • Highflyers, especially women threatened by younger colleagues.

    Dream Hacker (2025)

  • "I bet sixty thousand pounds on Highflyer to win.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • "It looks as if Highflyer is going to be the favorite for the Derby," he said smugly.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Wait until Highflyer wins.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Highflyer!

    The Perfect Storm (2000)

  • Highflyer!

    The Perfect Storm (2000)

  • Highflyer lost the Derby.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Many young professionals aspire to be a highflyer in their careers, demonstrating both talent and ambition.

  • With her impressive portfolio and determination, she quickly became known as a highflyer in the finance industry.

  • The company promotes its highflyers and encourages them to take on leadership roles within the organization.

Synonyms

baller
vshighflyer
  • Slang
16 8.9

A person who is very successful and lives a flashy, expensive life

highlights success based on ability and ambition rather than flash
high-flier
vshighflyer
1 5.1

A person who is very successful and likely to go far at work or school

is identical in meaning but written without a hyphen
top-notcher
vshighflyer
  • Philippine
1 8.2

A person who is among the best in a field

emphasizes success together with ability and strong ambition
smasher
vshighflyer
  • Archaic
1 6.5

A very big success, like a popular film

refers to a person with sustained ability and strong ambition

Antonyms

failure
557 1.3

Not reaching what was planned or expected

underachiever
11 4.6

A person, often a student, who gets lower grades than they could

How Successful

superstar
187 2.8
star
∞ 1.1
highflyer
1 6.3
achiever
18 3.2
average
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

highflyer singular
highflyers plural

Morphology

highflyer = high + flyer (transparent) = high + flyer

Meaning is a direct metaphorical compound 'high' + 'flyer' (someone who 'flies high' → very successful), which an average learner can infer from the components.

Etymology

Highflyer combines high ('up, above') and flyer ('one who flies'). It pictures someone who 'flies high' above others, so it means a very successful or ambitious person.