high
high — noun
1. a level, number, or amount that is the greatest ever reached, often in the conte
a level, number, or amount that is the greatest ever reached, often in the context of prices, temperatures, or performance records
Oil prices reached a new high of $95 per barrel this morning.
reach a new high of + number
The stock market hit an all-time high yesterday, making many investors happy.
hit an all-time high
Temperatures in Tokyo reached a record high of 38 degrees last week.
The company's profits rose to a new high this year, surprising the whole industry.
Darius noted that the river level had reached a dangerous high after the storm.
- peak
focuses on the very top of a curve; 'high' can describe a sustained record, while 'peak' is the single highest point
- record
used as a noun to mean the best-ever achievement; 'high' is more general and can refer to any elevated level
- maximum
more technical and exact; 'high' is less precise and more common in everyday speech
- low
the opposite end of the same scale — a low is the smallest amount or weakest point
文法句型
the/a high of + number
reach/hit a high
常見錯誤
2. a short period of great happiness, excitement, or energy, which can be caused by
a short period of great happiness, excitement, or energy, which can be caused by a success, a drug, alcohol, or a spiritual experience
Winning the competition gave Tara a natural high that lasted for days.
natural high — non-drug euphoria from achievement
Apinya was on a high for a week after finishing her first marathon.
on a high — experiencing the euphoric state
Some people seek the high that comes from extreme sports like rock climbing.
The crowd was on a high after the team scored in the final seconds.
Antonia warned her friends about the dangers of chasing the high from illegal drugs.
文法句型
on a high
a natural high
come down from a high
用法筆記
Common in the phrase 'on a high' to describe the state of experiencing this feeling. Can be modified with adjectives like 'natural', 'sudden', or 'temporary' to clarify the cause.
常見錯誤
3. the short informal form of 'high school', appearing in a school's official title
the short informal form of 'high school', appearing in a school's official title
My cousin goes to Northwood High, which is just a few blocks from our house.
used as part of a school name — Northwood High
Romi graduated from Central High in 2023 and is now at university.
The basketball team from Washington High won the city championship this year.
Mrs. Sade has been teaching math at Lincoln High since 2015.
文法句型
[Name] High
用法筆記
Always written with a capital H as part of the official school name. Usually follows a place name or person's name. This use is common in American English but less familiar to British English speakers.
常見錯誤
high — adjective
1. describing an object that extends far upward from its base or is situated well a
describing an object that extends far upward from its base or is situated well above floor level — for instance, a mountain, a building, or a shelf
The books on the top shelf are too high for a child to reach.
position: too high for [someone] to reach
The top shelf was too high for Minh to reach, so he stood on a chair to get the book.
A high wall surrounds the garden to keep out animals.
The flood water rose so high that it reached the first floor.
A high fence separates the two houses in the neighbourhood.
- low
the direct opposite—short distance from bottom to top or from the ground
用法筆記
Used mainly for objects and places, not for people. For a person's height, use 'tall' instead.
常見錯誤
2. greater in number, amount, level, or degree than what is normal or expected
greater in number, amount, level, or degree than what is normal or expected
The temperature in Taipei is very high during the summer months.
collocation: high temperature / high price / high speed
Ritu was worried about the high cost of living in the city.
Drivers should not go at high speed near schools.
Christopher received a high score on his math test.
Devika's high level of stress from her final exams kept her awake for three nights straight.
- low
below the usual or expected level (low price, low temperature)
常見錯誤
3. describes something that has a big amount of a certain element — such as a fruit
describes something that has a big amount of a certain element — such as a fruit that is rich in vitamins or a region with many minerals
Spinach is high in iron and other important vitamins.
pattern: high in [nutrient/substance]
Aylin chose a breakfast cereal that is low in sugar but high in fibre.
This area of the city has a neighbourhood high in crime.
Hao's doctor told him to avoid foods high in salt.
The Mediterranean diet is high in vegetables and healthy oils.
- low
containing very little of something (low in fat, low in calories)
文法句型
high + in + [substance/quality]
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'in' + a noun (high in protein, high in fat). Common in health, nutrition, and environmental contexts.
常見錯誤
4. having strong moral principles or a very good, admirable quality—for example, pu
having strong moral principles or a very good, admirable quality—for example, pursuing a noble purpose or setting a strict ethical standard
The charity works to promote high moral standards in business.
collocation: high moral standards / high ideals / high principles
Tendai held high ideals about fairness after watching his mother defend poor neighbours against unfair landlords.
The teacher expected her students to show high standards of honesty.
People admired Joaquín for his high principles even in difficult times.
用法筆記
This sense is typically used with abstract nouns such as 'standards', 'ideals', 'principles', and 'morals'. It describes character or quality, not concrete objects.
常見錯誤
5. (of wind or sea) moving or blowing with great force; strong and powerful in spee
(of wind or sea) moving or blowing with great force; strong and powerful in speed or intensity
High winds blew tree branches onto the road during the storm.
collocation: high wind / high winds
The ferry could not leave the port because of high seas.
Adina shut all the windows before the high winds arrived.
Meteorologists warned of high winds along the coast tonight.
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'wind' or 'sea' (high wind / high seas). Not used for storms or rain directly (a 'high storm' is incorrect).
常見錯誤
6. having a lot of power, authority, or influence; occupying a senior or respected
having a lot of power, authority, or influence; occupying a senior or respected position in an organisation or society
Élise was promoted to a high position in the company last year.
collocation: high position / high rank / high office
Several high officials attended the important international meeting in Geneva.
The Tanakas, a family of high social status, were invited to every charity gala in the city.
The judge handled the case with high authority and fairness.
Only high-ranking officers have access to that secure room.
用法筆記
Frequently combines with other words to form compounds like 'high-ranking' and 'high-level'. The opposite sense of status is 'low' (low-ranking, low status).
常見錯誤
7. describes a sound whose pitch is well above the middle of what people can hear —
describes a sound whose pitch is well above the middle of what people can hear — for example, a whistle, a child's shriek, or the highest notes on a piano
The cat let out a high squeal when Kwame accidentally stepped on its tail.
high + noun for a sharp sound
Min's voice went high with excitement as she described the surprise party.
The high notes on the violin sounded clear and sweet through the concert hall.
The driver heard a high beep coming from the smoke alarm in the kitchen.
Dogs can hear sounds at a much higher pitch than humans can detect.
- high-pitched
more specific and common in everyday speech for voices and sounds
- shrill
suggests an unpleasant, piercing quality
- sharp
describes a sudden, intense high sound
文法句型
high + noun (attributive)
be/get/become + high (predicative)
用法筆記
Frequently used attributively (high note, high pitch) but also works predicatively (the alarm was high). To describe a person's typical voice, high-pitched is more natural.
常見錯誤
8. describes meat, especially wild game such as pheasant or venison, that has start
describes meat, especially wild game such as pheasant or venison, that has started to decay and gives off a very strong, unpleasant smell
The butcher warned Zuri that the pheasant was high and needed cooking today.
predicative: be + high (game meat)
A high, unpleasant smell came from the old fridge when Joshua opened its door.
Some hunters enjoy eating high game meat with a very strong flavour.
Hamza threw away the duck because it had gone high in the warm weather.
The venison smelled a bit high, so Élise did not serve it to guests.
- fresh
describes meat that is newly prepared and safe to eat
文法句型
be/go + high (predicative)
go + high
high + meat/game (attributive)
用法筆記
Chiefly British. Most often applied to game birds and wild meat that have been hung to develop a strong taste. When meat is just generally spoiled and inedible, the more common word is off (British) or rotten/bad (American).
常見錯誤
9. in a state of unusual excitement, loss of control, or confused thinking caused b
in a state of unusual excitement, loss of control, or confused thinking caused by taking illegal drugs
After smoking marijuana, Lucía felt high and could not stop laughing.
get/feel + high (drug effect)
The police arrested Christopher for driving while high on prescription pills.
Esme could tell her brother was high because his eyes were very red.
Eitan warned his friends about the dangers of getting high on unknown pills.
Being high made Ishaan feel disconnected from everything around him.
- stoned
specifically suggests the relaxed, drowsy effect of marijuana or similar drugs
- intoxicated
formal term covering both alcohol and drugs
- wasted
very informal slang for being heavily affected by drugs or alcohol
文法句型
be/get + high
get + high + on + drug
while + high
用法筆記
Common in informal speech. Almost always predicative (she is high, they got high). The phrase high on specifies the substance: high on cocaine / high on weed. 'Getting high' is a fixed collocation referring to the act of taking drugs for pleasure.
常見錯誤
high — adverb
1. far above the ground, whether staying in one place or moving to a higher point
far above the ground, whether staying in one place or moving to a higher point
A kite flew high above the park where Lien was playing with her brother.
The shelf was fixed high on the wall, so Benjamin needed a ladder.
passive with 'high on': be fixed / be placed + high on [surface]
Rania threw the ball high over the fence into the neighbour's garden.
From the lookout point, the village lay high in the valley below Ilan.
Naoko hung the picture high on the living room wall above the sofa.
- low
direct opposite; at or to a small distance from the ground
文法句型
verb + high + prepositional phrase (above / over / on / in)
be + high + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Common with verbs of position (be, sit, lie, stand) and verbs of motion (fly, jump, throw, climb). For figurative meanings meaning 'to a great degree', use 'highly' instead — e.g. 'highly recommended', not 'high recommended'.