- high-flown
- high-flown [ ,haı `floun ] adjectivehigh-flown ideas or language sound very complicated or important but are often not very useful or practical
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
High-flown — a. 1. Elevated; proud. High flown hopes. Denham. [1913 Webster] 2. Turgid; extravagant; bombastic; inflated; as, high flown language. M. Arnold. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
high-flown — adj high flown language sounds impressive but does not have much real meaning … Dictionary of contemporary English
high-flown — high′ flown′ adj. 1) extravagant in aims, pretensions, etc 2) pretentiously lofty; bombastic: high flown oratory[/ex] • Etymology: 1640–50 … From formal English to slang
high-flown — [hī′flōn′] adj. 1. extravagantly ambitious or aspiring 2. high sounding but meaningless; bombastic … English World dictionary
high-flown — index flatulent, fustian, inflated (bombastic), orotund, turgid Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
high-flown — [adj] exalted, lofty bombastic, elaborate, exaggerated, extravagant, grandiloquent, grandiose, inflated, showy, turgid; concept 562 … New thesaurus
high-flown — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ (especially of language) extravagant or grandiose … English terms dictionary
high-flown — adjective 1. pretentious (especially with regard to language or ideals) high flown talk of preserving the moral tone of the school a high sounding dissertation on the means to attain social revolution • Syn: ↑high sounding, ↑inflated • Similar to … Useful english dictionary
high-flown — ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n (disapproval) High flown language is very grand, formal, or literary. It is highly probable that many of the Service s personnel were put off by such high flown rhetoric … English dictionary
high-flown — adjective Date: 1647 1. exceedingly or excessively high or favorable 2. having an excessively embellished or inflated character ; pretentious < high flown language > … New Collegiate Dictionary