high

Word family  noun Highness high adjective high adverb high highly

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Colours & sounds, Drug culture, Music, Textures, sounds, Measurement

high1 /haɪ/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective (comparative higher, superlative highest)  1  from bottom to top 从底部到顶部HIGH measuring a long distance from the bottom to the top 高的 OPP low This is the highest mountain in Japan. 这是日本最高的山。 The camp was surrounded by a high fence. 营地四周围着高高的栅栏。100 feet/30 metres etc high waves up to 40 metres high 高至40米的浪头 a ten-foot high statue 10英尺高的雕像 How high is the Eiffel Tower? 埃菲尔铁塔有多高？chest/waist/knee etc high (=as high as your chest etc) 齐胸/腰/膝等高的 The grass was knee-high. 草有齐膝高。 ► Do not use high to describe people, animals, trees, and plants. Use tall: You’re getting very tall (NOT You’re getting very high). | a tall palm tree (NOT a high palm tree)形容人、动物、树木、植物不要用 high . 要用 tall: You’re getting very tall (不说 You’re getting very high).你长得很高。 | a tall palm tree (不说 a high palm tree) 高高的棕榈树。2  above ground 在地面以上HIGH in a position that is a long way, or a longer way than usual, above the ground, floor etc 〔离地面〕高的 OPP low The apartment had spacious rooms with high ceilings. 那间公寓房间宽敞，屋顶很高。 a high shelf 一个高的架子 high altitudes 高海拔地区 The sun was already high in the sky. 太阳已经当空照了。 High up among the clouds, we saw the summit of Everest. 在高高的云团中，我们看到了珠穆朗玛峰的顶峰。3  large number 大量LOT/LARGE NUMBER OR AMOUNT a high amount, number, or level is large, or larger than usual 〔数量、数字、水平〕高的，超乎寻常的 OPP low Temperatures remained high for the rest of the week. 那一周余下的几天里气温仍然很高。 Lower-paid workers often cannot afford the high cost of living in the capital. 收入较低的工人往往承受不了首都的高昂生活费用。high level/degree/rate etc (of something) High levels of car use mean our streets are more congested than ever. 汽车的大量使用意味着我们的街道变得比以前更拥挤。 high crime rates 高犯罪率 high interest rates 高利率high price/charge/tax etc If you want better public services, you’ll have to pay higher taxes – it’s as simple as that. 想要有更好的公共服务，就要支付更高的税金——道理就是这么简单。 The train was approaching at high speed. 那列火车正在高速驶来。high proportion/percentage etc (of something) (=a very large part of a number) （某物的）高比例/百分比等 A high proportion of women with children under five work full-time. 很大一部分孩子不足五岁的妇女在做全职工作。► see thesaurus at expensive4  good standard 优良的水准GOOD/EXCELLENT a high standard, quality etc is very good 〔水准、质量等〕高的，好的 OPP low a high-performance computer 高性能电脑high quality 各种质优价廉的商品 a range of high-quality goods at low prices 各种质优价廉的商品 Our aim is to provide the highest quality service to all our customers. 我们的目标就是为所有顾客提供最优质的服务。high standard (=very good levels of work, achievement, behaviour etc) 高水平 The general standard of the entries was very high. 参赛作品的总体水准非常高。 Our guests expect us to maintain high standards. 我们的客人期望我们保持高水准。5  containing a lot 含量高LOT/LARGE NUMBER OR AMOUNT containing a lot of a particular substance or quality 〔含量〕高的 OPP lowhigh in something Choose foods that are high in fiber and low in calories. 要选择高纤维低热量的食品。a high sugar/salt/fibre etc content Red meat tends to have a high fat content. 红肉脂肪含量往往较高。6  rank/position 级别/职位HIGH POSITION OR RANK having an important position in society or within an organization 〔在社会或机构中〕职位高的，高级的，重要的 OPP low a high rank in the US Navy 美国海军中的高级军衔 the City’s highest honour 该市的最高荣誉high up (=in a powerful position) 位居高职 someone high up in the CIA 中央情报局的某位高层官员high office (=an important position) 高位 Both of them held high office in the Anglican Church. 他们两人都位居圣公会高层。high society (=rich people of the highest social class) 上流社会 → high-class, high-ranking, high-up, → friends in high places at friend1(12)7  advanced 先进的 [only before noun] advanced and often complicated 先进的 We can offer all the benefits of the latest high technology. 我们可以提供最新高科技的益处。 the world of high finance 高级金融界the higher animals/mammals/organisms etc (=animals etc that are more intelligent or advanced than others) 高等动物/哺乳动物/生物等8  high opinion/regard/praise etc ADMIREstrong approval of someone or something, or an expression of strong approval 高度评价/尊重/赞扬等 I’ve always had a high opinion of her work. 我对她的工作一直评价很高。hold somebody/something in high esteem/regard (=respect them very much) 高度尊重某人/某事 As an educationalist, he was held in very high esteem. 作为一名教育家，他受到人们的高度尊敬。 Romsey earned high praise from his boss. 罗姆西赢得了老板的高度赞扬。9  high priority  (also high on the list/agenda)IMPORTANT important and needing to be done or dealt with quickly 被列为重要[优先处理]事项 Most people feel that education needs to be given higher priority. 大多数人认为教育应该是当务之急。 Arms control is high on the agenda. 军备控制排在议程表的前列。10  high hopes/expectations HOPEwhen someone hopes or expects that something will be very good or successful 很高的希望/期望 My expectations of the place were never very high, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. 我对此处从未抱太高期望，不过也没想到会这么糟糕。have high hopes/expectations Like many young actors, I had high hopes when I first started out. 如许多青年演员一样，我刚开始的时候也抱有很高期望。11  sound 声音CHIGH SOUND OR VOICE near or above the top of the range of sounds that humans can hear 〔音调〕高的，尖声的 OPP low I always had difficulty reaching the high notes (=when singing). 我唱高音总是有困难。 a high squeaky voice 又高又尖的嗓音 → high-pitched12  high point  (also high spot) British EnglishBEST an especially good part of an activity or event 〔活动或事情的〕高潮，最精彩部分 The visit to the ancient capital city was one of the high points of the tour. 参观古都是这次旅游中最精彩的内容之一。13  high ground a) an area of land that is higher than the area surrounding it 高地 Villagers herded the livestock to high ground to keep them safe during the floods. 洪水期间，村民们把牲畜赶到高地上以确保它们的安全。 b) a better, more moral, or more powerful position in an argument or competition 〔辩论或比赛中的〕优势，有利条件 Neither side in this conflict can claim the moral high ground. 冲突双方在道德上都不占优势。14  high spirits HAPPYfeelings of happiness and energy, especially when you are having fun 欢欣鼓舞，兴高采烈 It was a bright sunny day and we set off in high spirits. 那天阳光明媚，我们兴高采烈地出发了。 I don’t think they intended any harm – it was just high spirits. 我认为他们没有恶意——他们只是太兴奋了。15  happy/excited 高兴的/兴奋的HAPPYEXCITED [not before noun] happy and excited 高兴的；兴奋的 I was still high from the applause. 我依然沉浸在掌声带来的兴奋中。16  drugs 毒品 [not before noun]MDD behaving in a strange and excited way as the result of taking drugs 〔吸食毒品后〕极度兴奋的，陶醉的high on Most people there were high on cocaine. 那里的大多数人吸食了可卡因，精神极度亢奋。get high (=take a drug to make yourself high) 吸毒以求得快感 Steve was as high as a kite (=strongly affected by drugs or alcohol). 史蒂夫吸了毒感觉飘飘欲仙。17  sea/river 海/河HIGH having risen to a high level 〔水位〕高的 OPP low The river is at its highest in spring. 这条河春季水位最高。 → high tide18  it is high time somebody did something TIME/RIGHT OR WRONG TIMEused to say that something should be done now 某人该做某事了 It’s high time you got a job. 你该找份工作了。19  time 时间PERIOD OF TIME the middle or the most important part of a particular period of time 中期的；全盛的 high summer 盛夏high noon (=12 o'clock in the middle of the day) 正午 → high season20. high wind DNa strong wind 大风21  high alert a situation in which people are told to be ready because there is a strong possibility of an attack or of something dangerous happening 高度戒备put/place somebody on high alert Troops were put on high alert. 部队奉命处于高度戒备状态。22  high life/living SPEND MONEYRICHthe enjoyable life that rich and fashionable people have 〔富人及时尚人士的〕奢华生活 We’re all stuck here, while he’s off living the high life in New York. 我们都困在这里，他却远在纽约过着奢华的生活。23  high drama/adventure EXCITEDvery exciting events or situations 充满戏剧性的事件/极刺激的历险 a life with moments of high drama 拥有刺激经历的人生24  end/finish/begin etc (something) on a high note to end, finish something etc in a successful way 圆满结束/成功开始（某事） The team finished their tour on a high note in Barbados. 该队的巡回赛在巴巴多斯画上了圆满的句号。25  high principles/ideals GOOD/MORALideas about personal behaviour based on the belief that people should always behave in an honest and morally good way 高尚[崇高]的原则/理想 a man of high moral principles 具有崇高道德准则的人26  high and mighty BOASTtalking or behaving as if you think you are better or more important than other people 盛气凌人的，不可一世的 Don’t get high and mighty with me. 别在我面前神气活现的。27  be/get on your high horse BOASTto give your opinion about something in a way that shows you think you are definitely right and that other people are wrong 自以为是，自高自大 If she’d get down off her high horse for a moment, she might realize there’s more than one point of view here. 如果她不这么自以为是的话，她可能会意识到别人对这个问题有其他看法。28. food 食物DFF British English cheese, meat etc that is high is not fresh and has a strong smell or taste 〔奶酪、肉类等〕不新鲜的，馊臭的29. high days and holidays  British English special occasions 节假日30. high complexion/colouring British EnglishDCCCC a naturally pink or red face 红润的脸色31. in high dudgeon  formal in an angry or offended way – often used humorously 愤然；怒气冲冲〔常为幽默用法〕32  language 语言 a) high style/register British EnglishAL a very formal style of language, especially used in literature 文学语言风格/语域 b) high German/Dutch etc a form of a language used for formal purposes that is often different from the ordinary form used by most people 高地德语/标准荷兰语等 → highly, → stink to high heaven at stink1(1) THESAURUSbuildings/mountains etc 建筑物/高山等high measuring a long distance from the bottom to the top – used about mountains, walls, and buildings 〔山、墙壁、建筑物〕高的the highest mountain in the world 世界上最高的山The castle was surrounded by high walls. 城堡的四周围着高墙。a high cliff 高高的悬崖nThe council told the architects the tower was too high.tall high – used about people, trees, plants, and buildings. Tall is used especially about things that are high and narrow 〔人、树木、植物和建筑物，尤指细长物〕高的，高大的 tall marble columns 高高的大理石柱子A cat was hiding in the tall grass. 高高的草丛中躲着一只猫。a tall modern building 一幢现代化的高楼majestic especially written very impressive because of being very big and tall – used about mountains, buildings, trees, and animals 〔山、建筑物、树木、动物〕雄伟的，壮丽的the majestic mountains of the Himalayas 壮丽的喜马拉雅山脉nThe abbey is noted for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows.nThe cathedral looked majestic in the evening light. soaring [only before noun] especially written used about a building or mountain that looks extremely tall and impressive 〔建筑物或山〕高耸的a soaring skyscraper 高耸入云的摩天大楼nthe soaring towers of the palacetowering [only before noun] especially written extremely high, in a way that seems impressive but also often rather frightening 高耸的〔常令人害怕〕The sky was shut out by the towering walls of the prison. 天空被高耸的监狱围墙挡住了。towering trees 参天大树lofty [usually before noun] literary very high and impressive – used in literature 巍峨的，高耸的〔用于文学作品〕the lofty peaks in the far distance 远处巍峨的群峰high-rise [usually before noun] a high-rise building is a tall modern building with a lot of floors containing apartments or offices 〔建筑物〕高层的a high-rise apartment block 高层公寓楼nHe works in a high-rise office in New York.COLLOCATIONS CHECKhigh mountain/building/wall/fencetall person/tree/plant/building/tower/statuemajestic mountain/building/tree/animalsoaring building/tower/mountaintowering wall/tree/mountain/buildinglofty building/mountain/tree/heightshigh-rise buildingsounds 声音high-pitched higher than most sounds or voices 声调高的He has a rather high-pitched voice. 他的声调相当高。Bats make high-pitched squeaks. 蝙蝠发出吱吱的尖叫声。nthe high-pitched whine of a dentist's drillshrill high and unpleasant 尖锐的，刺耳的Her voice became more shrill. 她的声音变得刺耳起来。 The bird has rather a shrill cry. 那只鸟的叫声相当刺耳。piercing extremely high and loud, in a way that is unpleasant 尖锐的，刺耳的a piercing scream 刺耳的尖叫声nSuddenly I heard a piercing whistle.squeaky making very high noises that are not loud 轻声而尖利的，嘎吱作响的a squeaky gate 吱嘎作响的大门squeaky floorboards 嘎吱作响的地板a squeaky little voice 尖细的嗓音

Examples from the Corpus

high• In summer, the temperatures can be as high as 40°C.• Paul has extremely high blood pressure.• A couple of boys had climbed the high chain-link fence to get into the park.• He mocked her by repeating what she said in a high, childish voice.• The price deflator measures the size of price increases, and detects whether higher costs drive consumers away from a product.• I recognized Juliet's high, excited voice on the phone immediately.• I always try to avoid foods with a high fat content.• Dogs respond to sounds that are too high for humans to hear.• Gas prices are much higher here than in other parts of the country.• How high is the Eiffel Tower?• God, I got so high last night.• It's hard to know which products have high lead levels.• Analysts are concerned about the high level of consumer debt.• Gable regards this as an insult to the audience handed out by critics who consider themselves on a higher level.• High levels of radiation have been reported near the nuclear plant.• However, with experience of rather higher levels of use an asphalt surface has now been added to reduce annual maintenance costs.• Mt. McKinley is the highest mountain in North America.• I was amazed that he could sing such high notes.• Donna had some trouble reaching the high notes.• Newton died at age 47 while high on crack cocaine.• Mount St. Alban is Washington's highest point.• Airlines experiment with the highest possible fares over the weekend.• Increased production costs will mean higher prices for consumers.• I try to eat a low-fat, high-protein diet.• The less well off do receive transfer payments and the rich face the highest rates of income tax.• Its first proposed product, is a drug treatment to prevent viral pneumonia in high risk infants.chest/waist/knee etc high• At its deepest I reckoned the water might be waist high.• Cicely sprints down the court, knees high.• It is over my ankles and outside in some places it is waist high.• The thin coat, too thin surely for a night in early November, was pulled waist high.• He ran in a comic manner, lifting his knees high, his elbows pumping furiously.• As soon as the water was waist high, she stood and walked to the side near to the female showers.high proportion/percentage etc (of something)• A high percentage involved people aged between 17 and 24.• A similarly high proportion end in a swift judgment because the defendant is in default or has no real defence.• A very high proportion of nearly all industrialized countries' aid is tied to their own goods or personnel.• Administrative changes during the late nineteenth century should have resulted in a higher proportion of cases being reported.• It is not surprising that a high proportion of patients burst into tears as soon as the physiotherapist begins work.• The cause for this is not clear but one factor could be the higher proportion of miners who had had gastric surgery.• The most relevant feature is the high proportion of multinational corporations in Britain.• Thus participation in sport is increasing due to a higher proportion of the adult population taking part in at least one activity.maintain high standards• He reckons suppliers have a choice: stick with lower prices and compromise on quality or raise prices and maintain high standards.• Tact, vigilance and persistence in maintaining high standards are necessary.• This gives students responsibility for maintaining high standards in these areas.• At the same time, the protectorate's authorities want to maintain high standards of financial propriety with strict rules.• The aim of the group is to maintain high standards of Goldfish keeping.a high sugar/salt/fibre etc content• Certain types of liquids, especially those with a high sugar content, cause bottle tops to stick.• Eating less meat, which has a high salt content, meant that they needed to supplement their salt intake.high society• members of New York's high society• Although personally modest, Astaire pushed off from a world of high society.• He reckoned he'd fit much better into Hollywood and high society.• My first venture into high society.• The brothers intend to show that they will not conform to the practices and hypocrisies of high society.• Torn between high society and the life of the workers on the estate, she makes many mistakes before seeing the truth.• There was no doubt that he could write well about high society, but the market for that sort of thing was dwindling.• Before long, Brighton was a centre of high society second only to London.• And the few people he mixed with in high society turned their backs on him.the higher animals/mammals/organisms etc• Their less advanced bodies appear to be easier to reconstitute than those of the higher animals.high as a kite• They were both as high as a kite.• Last reported early yesterday morning, high as a kite, heading for a train.• That he was high as a kite on Ecstasy and had thought they were larking about!high noon• The siren was simply announcing high noon.• The game starts at high noon.• Pictorially this visual time sequence can be used to suggest morning, high noon, afternoon and evening.• It is high noon and 108 degrees in the shade.• The glaring light of high noon encouraged his use of rich blacks.• Say you were stuck out in the Sonoran wilderness at high noon in summer, lost, thirsty and tired.• The 1987 election marked the high noon of the government of Margaret Thatcher.• It was always high noon there.• From high noon to sundown we blazed and buzzed like hot island bees on sweet cherry trees.• And there they sat without frames, naked in the heat of high noon, waiting to be paid attention to.

Related topics: Colours & sounds, Textures, sounds

high2 ●●● S2 W3 adverb  1  above the ground 在地面以上HIGH at or to a level high above the ground, the floor etc 〔离地面〕高高地；在[向]高处 OPP low He kicked the ball high into the air, over the heads of the crowd. 他把球高高地踢向空中，越过了人群。high above/into etc Hotel Miramar is situated high above the bay. 米拉马尔酒店高高地坐落在海湾之上。 A ski lift whisks you high into the mountains. 滑雪缆车会把你迅速送到高高的山上。2  value/cost/amount 价值/成本/数量EXPENSIVELOT/LARGE NUMBER OR AMOUNT at or to a high value, cost, amount etc 〔价值、成本、数量等〕高高地 OPP low If prices shoot up any higher, no one will be able to afford to live in the area. 如果物价继续上涨，这一地区就没人住得起了。 Tom scored higher than anyone else in the class. 汤姆在班上的得分最高。3  sound 声音CHIGH SOUND OR VOICE with a high sound 高音调地 A strange cry rang high into the night. 奇怪的叫声划破了夜空。4  achievement 成就HIGH POSITION OR RANK at or to a high rank or level of achievement, especially within a company 处于[向]高的地位[成就] OPP low It seems that the higher you rise, the less time you have to actually do your job. 似乎职位越高，参与实际工作的时间越少。 My parents always encouraged me to aim high. 我父母一直鼓励我要志存高远。5  (leave somebody/something) high and dry HELP a) if someone is left high and dry, they are left without any help or without the things that they need （使某人）孤立无援，陷入困境 b) if a boat, area etc is left high and dry, it is left on land because the water that surrounded it has gone down 〔船〕搁浅；〔地方〕高出水面 The once-thriving port of Rye was left high and dry as sea levels retreated. 一度繁荣的拉伊港由于海平面下降变成了旱港。6  look/search high and low FINDto try to find someone or something by looking everywhere 到处寻找 We looked high and low for Sandy but couldn’t find her. 我们到处寻找桑迪，但找不到她。 → hold your head high at hold1(16), → live high on the hog at live1(26), → be riding high at ride1(6), → run high at run1(28)

Examples from the Corpus

high• Could the pressure be too high?• The girl's voice rang high above everyone else's.• The dollar climbed higher against the yen today.• Monopolies tend to keep their prices and profits high by restricting the supply of a good.• It has long been thought that a diet high in fiber reduces the risks of cancer.• Sandy continued to rise higher in Zefco's ranks.• And the elder Miss Snoot at her window high up in Old Odborough looks over the roofs of the town.• The phone is high up on the wall.high above/into etc• Empty chairs with harnesses swung violently through the air, high above people's heads.• For once he allowed the cork to fly high into the air.• There he stands, high above the congregation, as though he has removed his last connection with worldly beings.• He flicked away another cigarette as they made their way towards him to continue the drive still higher into the hills.• Neither could she see that around them there were islands rising high above the sea, many islands.• Forget Michelangelo, lying on his back high above the Sistine Chapel floor to paint his famous frescoes.• Living as he did high above the Thames on the fringe of the city, this wasn't his part of London.rang high• Down went Pew, under the horse's feet, with a cry that rang high into the night.aim high• Job satisfaction is commonly a crucial factor in a decision not to aim high.• She wanted to aim high as she was naturally competitive.• I froze in the shelter of my rock, but the glasses were aimed higher, at the tent.

Related topics: Drug culture, School

high3 ●○○ noun [countable]  1  number/amount 数字/数量MOST the highest price, number, temperature etc that has ever been recorded, or that has been recorded within a particular period of time 〔价格、数字、温度等的〕最高点，最高水平 Highs of 40°C were recorded in the region last summer. 去年夏天该地区记录到的最高温度达40摄氏度。a new/record/ten-year etc high The price of oil reached a new high this week. 本周的石油价格创出了新高。2  excitement 兴奋EXCITED informal a feeling of great happiness or excitement 兴奋感，欢欣，情绪高涨 They’re bound to be on a high after such an incredible victory. 获得如此巨大的胜利他们肯定会兴奋不已。 the emotional highs and lows of a new romance 新恋情带来的情感跌宕起伏3. drugs 毒品MDD a feeling of pleasure or excitement produced by some drugs 〔某些毒品带来的〕快感，飘飘欲仙的感觉4. weather 天气 an area of high pressure that affects the weather 高（气）压区5  school 学校SES a short form of high school, used in the name of a school high school（高中；中学）的缩略式〔用于校名〕 Benjamin Franklin High 本杰明•富兰克林高中 6  from on high POWERfrom someone in a position of authority – used humorously 来自上级的，来自高层的〔幽默用法〕 An order came from on high. 上头有命令。7  on high formalRRC a) at a high temperature as measured by an electric oven etc 用〔电烤炉等的〕高火 Microwave on high for eight minutes. 用微波炉的高火加热八分钟。 b) formal in a high place or heaven 在高处；在天堂 An angel came from on high. 天使下凡。

Examples from the Corpus

high• Highs today were in the mid-90's.• I was on such a high.• But the feeling was different from any high or excitement I had felt before.• The past year has been a rollercoaster one for the royals with a few highs followed by lots of depressing lows.• By junior high, she knew she wanted to play college ball.• The price of oil reached a new high this week.• With the right company, certainly the stock should hit new highs with the next bull market.• The high she got from cocaine never lasted.• It has shed more than 200 points since reaching an all-time high of 5,689. 74 on April 3.reached a new high• It was the third time this season that Strickland reached a new high.highs and lows• Tendency to mania; has highs and lows.• This book follows young Pip through his life and into his mid thirties and shows his highs and lows.• For Kip, highs and lows were tolerable.• There are too many jagged edges to the Clinton experience, too many highs and lows.• The Tide tables can not be relied on for precise highs and lows of the tides.• The event had all the highs and lows of a record attempt.• Julia Knights reports on the highs and lows of harvest 2000. -high /haɪ/ suffix [in adjectives]  HIGHof a particular height …高的 The wall was about chest-high (=as high as your chest). 那堵墙大概齐胸高。 a 7,000 metre-high mountain 一座7,000米高的山From Longman Business Dictionaryhighhigh1 /haɪ/ noun [countable] the largest amount, figure, value etc in a particular period of timeAdvancing stocks again led as 162 issues reached new highs and only 14 dropped to new lows. → historic high → intraday high → life-of-contract high → record high → session highhighhigh2 adjective1a high amount, number, or level is more than normal, more than average, or more than it was beforehigh interest ratesProperty prices remain high.A high proportion of female directors are in the 35-to-55 age range.Sales to rental car companies made up a high percentage of the vehicles sold by General Motors.There is still a high risk that the US currency will fall back during the year.2a high position in an organization is an important oneHe rose swiftly to high office. → compare low1highhigh3 adverb at or to a high amount, number, level etcPrices could go even higher early this year.Western-educated technocrats high up in powerful bureaucraciesOrigin high1 Old English heah

high1 adjective →10-19 →20-32
→THESAURUS1high2 adverbhigh3 noun-high suffixLDOCE OnlineChinese  

from bottom Corpus long to distance the measuring top the Business a

high

I

high¹ S1 W1 /haɪ/ adjective (comparative higher, superlative highest)
1.  FROM BOTTOM TO TOP measuring a long distance from the bottom to the top
   OPP  low:
    This is the highest mountain in Japan.
    The camp was surrounded by a high fence.
    100 feet/30 metres etc high
    waves up to 40 metres high
    a ten-foot high statue
    How high is the Eiffel Tower?
    chest/waist/knee etc high (=as high as your chest etc)
    The grass was knee-high.
  ► Do not use high to describe people, animals, trees, and plants. Use tall: You’re getting very tall (NOT You’re getting very high). | a tall palm tree (NOT a high palm tree)
2.  ABOVE GROUND in a position that is a long way, or a longer way than usual, above the ground, floor etc
   OPP  low:
    The apartment had spacious rooms with high ceilings.
    a high shelf
    high altitudes
    The sun was already high in the sky.
    High up among the clouds, we saw the summit of Everest.
3.  LARGE NUMBER a high amount, number, or level is large, or larger than usual
   OPP  low:
    Temperatures remained high for the rest of the week.
    Lower-paid workers often cannot afford the high cost of living in the capital.
    high level/degree/rate etc (of something)
    High levels of car use mean our streets are more congested than ever.
    high crime rates
    high interest rates
    high price/charge/tax etc
    If you want better public services, you’ll have to pay higher taxes – it’s as simple as that.
    The train was approaching at high speed.
    high proportion/percentage etc (of something) (=a very large part of a number)
    A high proportion of women with children under five work full-time.
4.  GOOD STANDARD a high standard, quality etc is very good
   OPP  low:
    a high performance computer
    high quality
    a range of high quality goods at low prices
    Our aim is to provide the highest quality service to all our customers.
    high standard (=very good levels of work, achievement, behaviour etc)
    The general standard of the entries was very high.
    Our guests expect us to maintain high standards.
5.  CONTAINING A LOT containing a lot of a particular substance or quality
   OPP  low
    high in something
    Choose foods that are high in fiber and low in calories.
    a high sugar/salt/fibre etc content
    Red meat tends to have a high fat content.
6.  RANK/POSITION having an important position in society or within an organization
   OPP  low:
    a high rank in the US Navy
    the City’s highest honour
    high up (=in a powerful position)
    someone high up in the CIA
    high office (=an important position)
    Both of them held high office in the Anglican Church.
    high society (=rich people of the highest social class) ⇨ high-class, high-ranking, high-up, ⇨ friends in high places at friend(11)
7.  ADVANCED  [only before noun] advanced and often complicated:
    We can offer all the benefits of the latest high technology.
    the world of high finance
    the higher animals/mammals/organisms etc (=animals etc that are more intelligent or advanced than others)
8. high opinion/regard/praise etc strong approval of someone or something, or an expression of strong approval:
    I’ve always had a high opinion of her work.
    hold somebody/something in high esteem/regard (=respect them very much)
    As an educationalist, he was held in very high esteem.
    Romsey earned high praise from his boss.
9. high priority (also high on the list/agenda) important and needing to be done or dealt with quickly:
    Most people feel that education needs to be given higher priority.
    Arms control is high on the agenda.
10. high hopes/expectations when someone hopes or expects that something will be very good or successful:
    My expectations of the place were never very high, but I didn’t think it would be this bad.
    have high hopes/expectations
    Like many young actors, I had high hopes when I first started out.
11.  SOUND near or above the top of the range of sounds that humans can hear
   OPP  low:
    I always had difficulty reaching the high notes (=when singing).
    a high squeaky voice ⇨ high-pitched
12. high point (also high spot) British English an especially good part of an activity or event:
    The visit to the ancient capital city was one of the high points of the tour.
13. high ground
  a. an area of land that is higher than the area surrounding it:
    Villagers herded the livestock to high ground to keep them safe during the floods.
  b. a better, more moral, or more powerful position in an argument or competition:
    Neither side in this conflict can claim the moral high ground.
14. high spirits feelings of happiness and energy, especially when you are having fun:
    It was a bright sunny day and we set off in high spirits.
    I don’t think they intended any harm – it was just high spirits.
15.  HAPPY/EXCITED  [not before noun] happy and excited:
    I was still high from the applause.
16.  DRUGS  [not before noun] behaving in a strange and excited way as the result of taking drugs
    high on
    Most people there were high on cocaine.
    get high (=take a drug to make yourself high)
    Steve was as high as a kite (=strongly affected by drugs or alcohol).
17.  SEA/RIVER having risen to a high level
   OPP  low:
    The river is at its highest in spring. ⇨ high tide
18. it is high time somebody did something used to say that something should be done now:
    It’s high time you got a job.
19.  TIME the middle or the most important part of a particular period of time:
    high summer
    high noon (=12 o'clock in the middle of the day) ⇨ high season
20. high wind a strong wind
21. high alert a situation in which people are told to be ready because there is a strong possibility of an attack or of something dangerous happening
    put/place somebody on high alert
    Troops were put on high alert.
22. high life/living the enjoyable life that rich and fashionable people have:
    We’re all stuck here, while he’s off living the high life in New York.
23. high drama/adventure very exciting events or situations:
    a life with moments of high drama
24. end/finish/begin etc (something) on a high note to end, finish something etc in a successful way:
    The team finished their tour on a high note in Barbados.
25. high principles/ideals ideas about personal behaviour based on the belief that people should always behave in an honest and morally good way:
    a man of high moral principles
26. high and mighty talking or behaving as if you think you are better or more important than other people:
    Don’t get high and mighty with me.
27. be/get on your high horse to give your opinion about something in a way that shows you think you are definitely right and that other people are wrong:
    If she’d get down off her high horse for a moment, she might realize there’s more than one point of view here.
28.  FOOD British English cheese, meat etc that is high is not fresh and has a strong smell or taste
29. high days and holidays British English special occasions
30. high complexion/colouring British English a naturally pink or red face
31. in high dudgeon formal in an angry or offended way – often used humorously
32.  LANGUAGE
  a. high style/register British English a very formal style of language, especially used in literature
  b. high German/Dutch etc a form of a language used for formal purposes that is often different from the ordinary form used by most people
⇨ highly, ⇨ stink to high heaven at stink¹(1)
     

THESAURUS

■ buildings/mountains etc
   ▪ high measuring a long distance from the bottom to the top – used about mountains, walls, and buildings: the highest mountain in the world | The castle was surrounded by high walls. | a high cliff | The council told the architects the tower was too high.
   ▪ tall high – used about people, trees, plants, and buildings. Tall is used especially about things that are high and narrow: tall marble columns | A cat was hiding in the tall grass. | a tall modern building
   ▪ majestic especially written very impressive because of being very big and tall – used about mountains, buildings, trees, and animals: the majestic mountains of the Himalayas | The abbey is noted for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows. | The cathedral looked majestic in the evening light.
   ▪ soaring [only before noun] especially written used about a building or mountain that looks extremely tall and impressive: a soaring skyscraper | the soaring towers of the palace
   ▪ towering [only before noun] especially written extremely high, in a way that seems impressive but also often rather frightening: The sky was shut out by the towering walls of the prison. | towering trees
   ▪ lofty [usually before noun] literary very high and impressive – used in literature: the lofty peaks in the far distance
   ▪ high-rise [usually before noun] a high-rise building is a tall modern building with a lot of floors containing apartments or offices: a high-rise apartment block | He works in a high-rise office in New York.
■ COLLOCATIONS CHECK
   ▪ high mountain/building/wall/fence
   ▪ tall person/tree/plant/building/tower/statue
   ▪ majestic mountain/building/tree/animal
   ▪ soaring building/tower/mountain
   ▪ towering wall/tree/mountain/building
   ▪ lofty building/mountain/tree/heights
   ▪ high-rise building
■ sounds
   ▪ high-pitched higher than most sounds or voices: He has a rather high-pitched voice. | Bats make high-pitched squeaks. | the high-pitched whine of a dentist's drill
   ▪ shrill high and unpleasant: Her voice became more shrill. | The bird has rather a shrill cry.
   ▪ piercing extremely high and loud, in a way that is unpleasant: a piercing scream | Suddenly I heard a piercing whistle.
   ▪ squeaky making very high noises that are not loud: a squeaky gate | squeaky floorboards | a squeaky little voice

II

high² S3 adverb1.  ABOVE THE GROUND at or to a level high above the ground, the floor etc
   OPP  low:
    He kicked the ball high into the air, over the heads of the crowd.
    high above/into etc
    Hotel Miramar is situated high above the bay.
    A ski lift whisks you high into the mountains.
2.  VALUE/COST/AMOUNT at or to a high value, cost, amount etc
   OPP  low:
    If prices shoot up any higher, no one will be able to afford to live in the area.
    Tom scored higher than anyone else in the class.
3.  SOUND with a high sound:
    A strange cry rang high into the night.
4.  ACHIEVEMENT at or to a high rank or level of achievement, especially within a company
   OPP  low:
    It seems that the higher you rise, the less time you have to actually do your job.
    My parents always encouraged me to aim high.
5. (leave somebody/something) high and dry
  a. if someone is left high and dry, they are left without any help or without the things that they need
  b. if a boat, area etc is left high and dry, it is left on land because the water that surrounded it has gone down:
    The once-thriving port of Rye was left high and dry as sea levels retreated.
6. look/search high and low to try to find someone or something by looking everywhere:
    We looked high and low for Sandy but couldn’t find her.
⇨ hold your head high at hold¹(16), ⇨ live high on the hog at live¹(26), ⇨ be riding high at ride¹(6), ⇨ run high at run¹(28)

III

high³ noun [countable]1.  NUMBER/AMOUNT the highest price, number, temperature etc that has ever been recorded, or that has been recorded within a particular period of time:
    Highs of 40°C were recorded in the region last summer.
    a new/record/ten-year etc high
    The price of oil reached a new high this week.
2.  EXCITEMENT informal a feeling of great happiness or excitement:
    They’re bound to be on a high after such an incredible victory.
    the emotional highs and lows of a new romance
3.  DRUGS a feeling of pleasure or excitement produced by some drugs
4.  WEATHER an area of high pressure that affects the weather
5.  SCHOOL a short form of high school, used in the name of a school:
    Benjamin Franklin High
6. from on high from someone in a position of authority – used humorously:
    An order came from on high.
7. on high formal
  a. at a high temperature as measured by an electric oven etc:
    Microwave on high for eight minutes.
  b. formal in a high place or heaven:
    An angel came from on high.