High vs. Tall: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 11, 2023
"High" refers to elevation or position, while "tall" describes the height of an object or person relative to its base.
Key Differences
High and tall are adjectives frequently used to denote vertical measurements.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
"High" primarily addresses the elevation or altitude of something, often in relation to a broader context. For instance, a mountain is high because it has significant elevation above sea level. Conversely, "tall" specifically focuses on the height of an entity from its base to its top.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
A person is considered tall based on their stature from feet to head. Additionally, high can be used in abstract or qualitative contexts, such as high standards or high quality. On the other hand, tall rarely ventures beyond the quantitative measurement of height. In some contexts, the usage of these words can be interchangeable, like a "high tower" or a "tall tower", but their nuances distinguish their applications.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
While both words describe vertical measurements, "high" has broader implications, whereas "tall" primarily focuses on physical stature.
Janet White
Nov 11, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Interchangeable
Sometimes (e.g., high building/tall building)
Less so outside of physical descriptions
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
Scope
Broader applications (e.g., high speed, high volume)
Primarily deals with stature
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
High and Tall Definitions
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High
In a state of euphoria, often due to drugs.
He felt high after taking the medication.
Janet White
Oct 20, 2023
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High
Having a relatively great elevation; extending far upward
A high mountain.
A high tower.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Far or farther from a reference point
Was too high in the offensive zone to take a shot.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Being at or near the peak or culminating stage
The high tourist season.
High summer.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tall
Having considerable height, especially in relation to width; lofty
Tall trees.
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Oct 13, 2023
High
Advanced in development or complexity
High forms of animal life.
Higher mathematics.
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Oct 13, 2023
Tall
(Informal) Fanciful or exaggerated; boastful
Tall tales of heroic exploits.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively large number of sound-wave cycles per second
The high tones of a flute.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tall
(of a person) Having a vertical extent greater than the average. For example, somebody with a height of over 6 feet would generally be considered to be tall.
Being tall is an advantage in basketball.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tall
(of a building, etc.) Having its top a long way up; having a great vertical (and often greater than horizontal) extent; high.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Constituting a climax; crucial
The chase scene is the high point of the film.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tall
(obsolete) Seemly; suitable; fitting, becoming, comely; attractive, handsome.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Characterized by lofty or stirring events or themes
High adventure.
High drama.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Greater than usual or expected, as in quantity, magnitude, cost, or degree
“A high price has to be paid for the happy marriage with the four healthy children” (Doris Lessing).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tall
A tall serving of a drink, especially one from Starbucks, which contains 12 ounces.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tall
High in stature; having a considerable, or an unusual, extension upward; long and comparatively slender; having the diameter or lateral extent small in proportion to the height; as, a tall person, tree, or mast.
Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tall
Brave; bold; courageous.
As tall a trenchermanAs e'er demolished a pye fortification.
His companions, being almost in despair of victory, were suddenly recomforted by Sir William Stanley, which came to succors with three thousand tall men.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
(Linguistics) Of or relating to vowels produced with part of the tongue close to the palate, as in the vowel of tree.
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Oct 13, 2023
Tall
Great in vertical dimension; high in stature;
Tall people
Tall buildings
Tall trees
Tall ships
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Of, relating to, or being the gear configuration or setting, as in an automotive transmission, that produces the greatest vehicular speed with respect to engine speed.
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Oct 13, 2023
Tall
Lofty in style;
He engages in so much tall talk, one never really realizes what he is saying
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
At, in, or to a lofty position, level, or degree
Saw a plane flying high in the sky.
Prices that had gone too high.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
(Informal) An excited or euphoric condition
The team was on a high after winning in overtime.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
(Slang) An intoxicated or euphoric condition induced by alcohol or a drug.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Very elevated; extending or being far above a base; tall; lofty.
The balloon rose high in the sky.
The wall was high.
A high mountain
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Relatively elevated; rising or raised above the average or normal level from which elevation is measured.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Pertaining to (or, especially of a language: spoken in) in an area which is at a greater elevation, for example more mountainous, than other regions.
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Oct 13, 2023
High
Having a specified elevation or height; tall.
Three feet high
Three Mount Everests high
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Elevated in status, esteem, or prestige, or in importance or development; exalted in rank, station, or character.
The oldest of the elves' royal family still conversed in High Elvish.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Most exalted; foremost.
The high priest, the high officials of the court, the high altar
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Oct 13, 2023
High
Of great importance and consequence: grave (if negative) or solemn (if positive).
High crimes, the high festival of the sun
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Oct 13, 2023
High
Consummate; advanced (e.g. in development) to the utmost extent or culmination, or possessing a quality in its supreme degree, at its zenith.
High (i.e. intense) heat; high (i.e. full or quite) noon; high (i.e. rich or spicy) seasoning; high (i.e. complete) pleasure; high (i.e. deep or vivid) colour; high (i.e. extensive, thorough) scholarship; high tide; high [tourism] season; the High Middle Ages
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Advanced in complexity (and hence potentially abstract and/or difficult to comprehend).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
(in several set phrases) Very traditionalist and conservative, especially in favoring older ways of doing things; see e.g. high church, High Tory.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Elevated in mood; marked by great merriment, excitement, etc.
In high spirits
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Lofty, often to the point of arrogant, haughty, boastful, proud.
A high tone
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Remote (to the north or south) from the equator; situated at (or constituting) a latitude which is expressed by a large number.
High latitude, fish species in high arctic and antarctic areas
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Large, great (in amount or quantity, value, force, energy, etc).
My bank charges me a high interest rate.
I was running a high temperature and had high cholesterol.
High voltage
High prices
High winds
A high number
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Having a large or comparatively larger concentration of (a substance, which is often but not always linked by "in" when predicative).
Carrots are high in vitamin A.
Made from a high-copper alloy
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Oct 13, 2023
High
(acoustics) Acute or shrill in pitch, due to being of greater frequency, i.e. produced by more rapid vibrations (wave oscillations).
The note was too high for her to sing.
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Oct 13, 2023
High
(phonetics) Made with some part of the tongue positioned high in the mouth, relatively close to the palate.
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Oct 13, 2023
High
(card games) Greater in value than other cards, denominations, suits, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
(poker) Having the highest rank in a straight, flush or straight flush.
I have KT742 of the same suit. In other words, a K-high flush.
9-high straight = 98765 unsuited
Royal Flush = AKQJT suited = A-high straight flush
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
(of a card or hand) Winning; able to take a trick, win a round, etc.
North's hand was high. East was in trouble.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Strong-scented; slightly tainted/spoiled; beginning to decompose.
Epicures do not cook game before it is high.
The tailor liked his meat high.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
(informal) intoxicated; under the influence of a mood-altering drug, formerly usually alcohol, but now (from the mid-20th century) usually not alcohol but rather marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Positioned up the field, towards the opposing team's goal.
Our defensive line is too high.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
In or to an elevated position.
How high above land did you fly?
The desks were piled high with magazines.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
A high point or position, literally (as, an elevated place; a superior region; a height; the sky; heaven).or figuratively (as, a point of success or achievement; a time when things are at their best, greatest, most numerous, maximum, etc).
It was one of the highs of his career.
Inflation reached a ten-year high.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
The maximum atmospheric temperature recorded at a particular location, especially during one 24-hour period.
Today's high was 32 °C.
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Oct 13, 2023
High
A period of euphoria, from excitement or from an intake of drugs.
That pill gave me a high for a few hours, before I had a comedown.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
A large area of elevated atmospheric pressure; an anticyclone.
A large high is centred on the Azores.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Elevated above any starting point of measurement, as a line, or surface; having altitude; lifted up; raised or extended in the direction of the zenith; lofty; tall; as, a high mountain, tower, tree; the sun is high.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Regarded as raised up or elevated; distinguished; remarkable; conspicuous; superior; - used indefinitely or relatively, and often in figurative senses, which are understood from the connection
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Oct 13, 2023
High
Elevated in character or quality, whether moral or intellectual; preëminent; honorable; as, high aims, or motives.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Possessing a characteristic quality in a supreme or superior degree; as, high (i. e., intense) heat; high (i. e., full or quite) noon; high (i. e., rich or spicy) seasoning; high (i. e., complete) pleasure; high (i. e., deep or vivid) color; high (i. e., extensive, thorough) scholarship, etc.
High time it is this war now ended were.
High sauces and spices are fetched from the Indies.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Exalted in social standing or general estimation, or in rank, reputation, office, and the like; dignified; as, she was welcomed in the highest circles.
He was a wight of high renown.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Strong-scented; slightly tainted; as, epicures do not cook game before it is high.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Of great strength, force, importance, and the like; strong; mighty; powerful; violent; sometimes, triumphant; victorious; majestic, etc.; as, a high wind; high passions.
Strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
Can heavenly minds such high resentment show?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Made with a high position of some part of the tongue in relation to the palate, as ē (ēve), Ō (fŌd). See Guide to Pronunciation, 10, 11.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Very abstract; difficult to comprehend or surmount; grand; noble.
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Plain living and high thinking are no more.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Costly; dear in price; extravagant; as, to hold goods at a high price.
If they must be good at so high a rate, they know they may be safe at a cheaper.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Arrogant; lofty; boastful; proud; ostentatious; - used in a bad sense.
An high look and a proud heart . . . is sin.
His forces, after all the high discourses, amounted really but to eighteen hundred foot.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
In a high manner; in a high place; to a great altitude; to a great degree; largely; in a superior manner; eminently; powerfully.
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Oct 13, 2023
High
The highest card dealt or drawn.
The dayspring from on high hath visited us.
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Oct 13, 2023
High
A lofty level or position or degree;
Summer temperatures reached an all-time high
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Oct 13, 2023
High
An air mass of higher than normal pressure;
The east coast benefits from a Bermuda high
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Oct 13, 2023
High
A state of altered consciousness induced by alcohol or narcotics;
They took drugs to get a high on
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
A high place;
They stood on high and observed the coutryside
He doesn't like heights
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
A public secondary school usually including grades 9 through 12;
He goes to the neighborhood highschool
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
A forward gear with a gear ratio giving high vehicle velocity for a given engine speed
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount;
A high temperature
A high price
The high point of his career
High risks
Has high hopes
The river is high
He has a high opinion of himself
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
(literal meanings) being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation or upward extension (sometimes used in combinations like `knee-high');
A high mountain
High ceilings
High buildings
A high forehead
A high incline
A foot high
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
High
Standing above others in quality or position;
People in high places
The high priest
Eminent members of the community
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Oct 13, 2023
High
Slightly and pleasantly intoxicated from alcohol or a drug (especially marijuana)
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Oct 13, 2023
High
In or to a high position, amount, or degree;
Prices have gone up far too high
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
FAQs
Is "tall" only used for living beings?
No, "tall" can describe any object with notable height.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
Can "high" and "tall" be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but not always, due to their distinct nuances.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
Can "high" refer to things other than altitude?
Yes, "high" can refer to intensity, quantity, or quality.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
What's another word for "high" in a musical context?
Pitch. A "high pitch" refers to a sound with a high frequency.
Harlon Moss
Nov 11, 2023
Is a "tall glass" only about the glass's height?
Primarily, though it might also imply more volume.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 11, 2023
Is a "tall story" about height?
No, it refers to an exaggerated or unbelievable tale.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
Can "high" refer to emotions?
Yes, as in "high spirits" or feeling emotionally elevated.
Sara Rehman
Nov 11, 2023
How do you differentiate "high chair" from "tall chair"?
A "high chair" is for babies, while a "tall chair" simply has notable height.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 11, 2023
Can mountains be described as "tall"?
Yes, but "high" is more commonly used in relation to mountains.
Janet White
Nov 11, 2023
How do you describe a person's height?
Typically, you'd use "tall" or its antonyms like "short."
Harlon Moss
Nov 11, 2023
What does "high tide" refer to?
It refers to the tide when the water is at its highest level.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
Can "tall" describe abstract concepts?
Rarely. Its primary usage is in the physical sense.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
Is "tall" used in measurements?
Often, especially describing the height of objects or beings.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 11, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
