high

Less common meanings

12. 12
    on drugsadjectivecolloquial

    Under the effect of a drug, especially cannabis, an informal use.

    They were too high to drive home.

    He got high at the party.

    UsagePeople say get high or high on a drug.

    Similarstoned, intoxicated, wasted, buzzed

    Oppositesober, straight

13. 13
    sharp (sound)adjective

    Of a sound, with a pitch near the top of the range, like a whistle or a soprano.

    The note was too high for the baritone.

    A high whine came from the engine.

    UsageIt is about the note, not how loud: for that say loud.

    Similarshrill, piercing, squeaky, treble, acute

    Oppositelow, deep, bass

    Note
14. 14
    euphorianouncountable

    A period of feeling very happy or excited, from an event or from a drug.

    She was still on a high after the win.

    The pill gave him a brief high.

    UsagePeople say on a high and end on a high.

    Similarbuzz, rush, euphoria, thrill, glow

    Oppositecomedown, low, downer

    Note
15. 15
    jollyadjective

    Full of cheer or excitement, as in high spirits.

    The children were in high spirits all day.

    We had a high old time at the fair.

    Similargood, merry, buoyant, cheerful

    Oppositelow, gloomy, dejected, somber

    Note
16. 16
    adjective

    Very serious or important, as in high crimes or a high festival.

    The senator was accused of high crimes.

    Easter is the high festival of the church year.

    Similargrave, solemn, serious

    Note
17. 17
    adjective

    Of a way of living, luxurious and expensive, as in the high life.

    They lived the high life on borrowed money.

    High living ruined him in two years.

    UsageMostly in high living and the high life.

    Similarluxurious, lavish, extravagant, opulent, sumptuous

    Oppositefrugal, simple, modest, austere

18. 18
    air pressurenouncountable

    In weather, a large area of high air pressure, which usually brings settled skies.

    A high over the continent will keep the week dry.

    The high is drifting east.

    UsageThe opposite is a low. It is different from today's high temperature.

    Similaranticyclone

    Oppositelow, depression

    Note
19. 19
    proudadjective

    Proud and grand in manner, often too much so, as in a high tone.

    He took a high tone with the staff.

    She acted so high and mighty that nobody wanted to sit with her.

    UsageMostly in high and mighty, meaning too proud.

    Similarhaughty, lofty, arrogant, proud, superior

    Oppositelow, humble, modest, meek

    Note
20. 20
    keen onadjective

    Keen on something, enthusiastic about it, as in high on the idea.

    The coach is high on the new goalkeeper.

    I'm not that high on the plan.

    UsageSay high on a person or plan: the coach is high on him.

    Similarkeen, enthusiastic, bullish, excited, positive

    Oppositedown, negative, unenthusiastic

21. 21
    adverb

    At a high pitch, as in sing high.

    I can't sing that high.

    She can sing high, but her brother can only sing low.

    UsageMeans on a high note: sing high. For volume, say loudly.

    Similarshrilly

    Oppositelow, deep

22. 22
    valued cardsadjective

    In card games, worth more than other cards, or being the top card in a poker hand like a straight.

    My little sister always saves her high cards until the end of the game.

    In this game, hearts are higher than clubs.

    Oppositelow

    Note
23. 23
    top cardnouncountable

    In card games, the highest card dealt or drawn, as when players cut for high.

    Each player draws one card, and high goes first.

    Her high was only a seven.

    Oppositelow

    Note
24. 24
    drugnouncountable

    A drug people take to feel very happy or excited, as in legal highs.

    The shop sold legal highs until the ban.

    Each new legal high was banned within months.

    Similardrug, intoxicant

25. 25
    near the polesadjective

    Far from the equator, toward the North or South Pole, as in high latitudes.

    Few trees grow at such high latitudes.

    The ship was built for high Arctic waters.

    Similarpolar, far

    Oppositelow

    Note
26. 26
    adjective

    Of the sea or a lake, rough, with big waves running.

    The sea is too high for the ferry today.

    We stayed in port because the sea was high and rough.

    Similarrough, heavy, stormy, choppy, wild

    Oppositecalm, smooth, flat, placid

    Note
27. 27
    going offadjective

    Of meat, especially deer meat: starting to go bad and smelling strong.

    That deer meat is getting high, so we should cook it tonight.

    The meat in the back of the fridge smelled a little high.

    Similargamy, rank, tainted

    Oppositefresh

    Note
28. 28
    noununcountable

    The strongest setting for heat, power, or speed on a stove, machine, or other device.

    Heat the pan on high until the oil is hot.

    Turn the fan up to high because it's so hot in here.

    UsageNo a or the: cook on high, turn it to low.

    Oppositelow

    Note
29. 29
    adjective

    Very good in a moral way, with strong ideas about what is right and good goals.

    She became a teacher with high ideals about helping every child.

    He is a man of the highest principles and never breaks a promise.

    UsageUse it for ideas, not people: high ideals, high principles. A person with high ideals is high-minded.

    Similarnoble, lofty, worthy

    Oppositebase, ignoble

    Note
30. 30
    adjective

    In soccer and similar games, placed far up the field, near the other team's goal.
31. 31
    adjective

    In baseball, of a pitch, too far up, over the hitter's shoulders.
32. 32
    adjective

    From or spoken in the hilly or mountain part of a country.
33. 33
    adjective

    Extreme, and now mostly very attached to old ways and traditions.
34. 34
    adjective

    Of a speech sound, made with the tongue near the top of the mouth.
35. 35
    adjective

    In card games, able to beat the other cards and win.
36. 36
    adjective

    Of a sailboat, pointed nearly into the wind.
37. 37
    verbobsolete

    To go up.
38. 38
    verbobsolete

    An old way to write hie, meaning to hurry.