Higher vs. Highest — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 19, 2024
"Higher" is a comparative form indicating more than another in degree or intensity, whereas "highest" is the superlative form, denoting the utmost degree or the extreme level of a quality.
Difference Between Higher and Highest
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Higher" is used when comparing the degree or level of two elements, subjects, or objects, implying that one is greater in some aspect than the other. For instance, in the comparison of two mountains, one might be higher than the other, indicating a relative difference in altitude. On the other hand, "highest" is used to describe the extreme or utmost level of a single element among a group, suggesting that it surpasses all others in the same category. In the context of the mountains, the highest mountain would be the one that exceeds all others in altitude.
In education, a student's performance might be described as higher when compared directly to another student's performance, suggesting a relative measure of achievement or grades. Whereas the highest grade in a class refers to the best performance or the top score achieved by any student, marking an absolute comparison within that group.
In terms of achievement, an athlete might aim for a higher position than they previously achieved, indicating a desire for improvement relative to their own past performance. On the other hand, the highest honor or award in a field represents the pinnacle of achievement, the most prestigious accolade attainable, surpassing all other awards.
When discussing levels of organization or hierarchy, an employee might seek a higher position, meaning one that is more advanced than their current role but not necessarily the top. In contrast, the highest position in a company usually refers to the chief executive officer (CEO) or president, the singular top spot in the organizational hierarchy.
In the context of geography or physical locations, a city located at a higher elevation is simply more elevated than another city, without implying it is the most elevated location in the region. However, the highest point in a country refers to the single most elevated spot within its borders, such as its tallest mountain or peak.
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Comparison Chart
Degree of Comparison
Comparative, indicates more than another
Superlative, indicates the most among all
Context of Use
Comparing two elements
Describing the top element in a group
Relativity
Relative to another specific element
Absolute within a group or category
Examples of Use
A higher score, a higher rank
The highest score, the highest rank
Implication of Achievement
Improvement or advancement over another
The pinnacle or peak of achievement
Compare with Definitions
Higher
Superior in rank or dignity.
She sought the counsel of someone higher up in the hierarchy.
Highest
Of the utmost importance or significance.
Integrity is of the highest importance in this profession.
Higher
Further advanced in development or complexity.
The course moved on to higher concepts of mathematics.
Highest
Most advanced or superior in a group.
His performance was the highest in the class.
Higher
Greater in amount, size, or degree.
She aims to achieve a higher score on her next exam.
Highest
Of the greatest amount, size, or degree.
The peak is the highest point in the mountain range.
Higher
More advanced in position or level.
He was promoted to a higher position in the company.
Highest
Holding the top position or rank.
She received the highest award for her contributions.
Higher
Elevated in space or position.
The village is located at a higher altitude.
Highest
At the maximum limit or degree.
The balloon rose to its highest before popping.
Higher
Having a relatively great elevation; extending far upward
A high mountain.
A high tower.
Highest
Having a relatively great elevation; extending far upward
A high mountain.
A high tower.
Higher
Extending a specified distance upward
A cabinet ten feet high.
Highest
Extending a specified distance upward
A cabinet ten feet high.
Higher
Far or farther from a reference point
Was too high in the offensive zone to take a shot.
Highest
Far or farther from a reference point
Was too high in the offensive zone to take a shot.
Higher
Being at or near the peak or culminating stage
The high tourist season.
High summer.
Highest
Being at or near the peak or culminating stage
The high tourist season.
High summer.
Higher
Advanced in development or complexity
High forms of animal life.
Higher mathematics.
Highest
Advanced in development or complexity
High forms of animal life.
Higher mathematics.
Higher
Far removed in time; remote
High antiquity.
Highest
Far removed in time; remote
High antiquity.
Higher
Slightly spoiled or tainted; gamy. Used of meat.
Highest
Slightly spoiled or tainted; gamy. Used of meat.
Higher
Having a bad smell; malodorous.
Highest
Having a bad smell; malodorous.
Higher
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively large number of sound-wave cycles per second
The high tones of a flute.
Highest
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively large number of sound-wave cycles per second
The high tones of a flute.
Higher
Raised in pitch; not soft or hushed
A high voice.
Highest
Raised in pitch; not soft or hushed
A high voice.
Higher
Situated relatively far from the equator
A high latitude.
Highest
Situated relatively far from the equator
A high latitude.
Higher
Of great importance
Set a high priority on funding the housing program.
Highest
Of great importance
Set a high priority on funding the housing program.
Higher
Eminent in rank or status
A high official.
Highest
Eminent in rank or status
A high official.
Higher
Serious; grave
High crimes and misdemeanors.
Highest
Serious; grave
High crimes and misdemeanors.
Higher
Constituting a climax; crucial
The chase scene is the high point of the film.
Highest
Constituting a climax; crucial
The chase scene is the high point of the film.
Higher
Characterized by lofty or stirring events or themes
High adventure.
High drama.
Highest
Characterized by lofty or stirring events or themes
High adventure.
High drama.
Higher
Lofty or exalted in quality or character
A person of high morals.
Highest
Lofty or exalted in quality or character
A person of high morals.
Higher
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).
Highest
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).
Higher
Favorable
He has a high opinion of himself.
Highest
Favorable
He has a high opinion of himself.
Higher
Of great force or violence
High winds.
Highest
Of great force or violence
High winds.
Higher
(Informal) Excited or euphoric
High spirits.
Highest
(Informal) Excited or euphoric
High spirits.
Higher
(Slang) Intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, such as cocaine or marijuana.
Highest
(Slang) Intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, such as cocaine or marijuana.
Higher
Luxurious; extravagant
High living.
Highest
Luxurious; extravagant
High living.
Higher
(Linguistics) Of or relating to vowels produced with part of the tongue close to the palate, as in the vowel of tree.
Highest
(Linguistics) Of or relating to vowels produced with part of the tongue close to the palate, as in the vowel of tree.
Higher
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.
Highest
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.
Higher
At, in, or to a lofty position, level, or degree
Saw a plane flying high in the sky.
Prices that had gone too high.
Highest
At, in, or to a lofty position, level, or degree
Saw a plane flying high in the sky.
Prices that had gone too high.
Higher
In an extravagant or luxurious way
Made a fortune and lived high.
Highest
In an extravagant or luxurious way
Made a fortune and lived high.
Higher
A lofty place or region.
Highest
A lofty place or region.
Higher
A high level or degree
Summer temperatures reached an all-time high.
Highest
A high level or degree
Summer temperatures reached an all-time high.
Higher
The high gear configuration of a transmission.
Highest
The high gear configuration of a transmission.
Higher
A center of high atmospheric pressure; an anticyclone.
Highest
A center of high atmospheric pressure; an anticyclone.
Higher
(Informal) An excited or euphoric condition
The team was on a high after winning in overtime.
Highest
(Informal) An excited or euphoric condition
The team was on a high after winning in overtime.
Higher
(Slang) An intoxicated or euphoric condition induced by alcohol or a drug.
Highest
(Slang) An intoxicated or euphoric condition induced by alcohol or a drug.
Higher
A national school-leaving examination and university entrance qualification.
Highest
Approaching or constituting a maximum;
Maximal temperature
Maximum speed
Working at peak efficiency
Higher
(transitive) To make higher; to raise or increase in amount or quantity.
Highest
Highest and most significant;
His highest achievement
Higher
(intransitive) To ascend.
Higher
Advanced in complexity or elaboration; as, higher mathematics.
Higher
Of or pertaining to education beyond the secondary level; as, higher education; higher learning.
Higher
Advanced in complexity or elaboration;
High finance
Higher mathematics
Higher
Of education beyond the secondary level;
Higher education
Higher learning
Common Curiosities
What does "highest" imply in achievements?
It implies the peak or pinnacle of achievement, the utmost level reached among all comparatives.
What does it mean when something is described as "higher"?
It means it is greater in some aspect compared to another specific item but not necessarily the utmost in its category.
Can "higher" and "highest" be used interchangeably?
No, because "higher" compares two things, and "highest" denotes the top among more than two.
How do I know when to use "higher" instead of "highest"?
Use "higher" when comparing two things, and "highest" when referring to the top among a group.
What is an example of "highest" in a sentence?
"He climbed the highest mountain in the continent."
Can "highest" be used for non-physical comparisons?
Yes, it can refer to non-physical attributes, like the highest honor, which is about prestige, not physical elevation.
What is an example of "higher" in a sentence?
"She achieved a higher grade than last semester."
What is the basic difference between "higher" and "highest"?
"Higher" is the comparative form used for relative comparison, while "highest" is the superlative form used for indicating the utmost level among all compared entities.
Is "higher education" referring to comparative or superlative?
It refers to a level of education beyond secondary school, not a comparison, so neither comparative nor superlative applies in the usual sense.
Does "higher" always relate to vertical elevation?
No, it can also relate to quantities, levels, ranks, or degrees, not just physical height.
What does "highest" indicate in terms of goals?
It indicates the ultimate aim or the most ambitious goal one can strive for.
Is "the highest standard" a physical measurement?
No, it refers to the utmost level of quality or excellence in a given context.
Can a person hold a "higher" position in society?
Yes, it means they are more elevated in status or rank compared to others, but not necessarily at the top.
How does context affect the use of "higher" and "highest"?
The context determines whether a comparative or superlative form is appropriate, depending on whether the discussion involves direct comparison or identifying a peak level within a group.
Can "highest" be subjective?
In terms of value or importance, yes, what is considered "highest" can vary based on individual or cultural perspectives.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
