SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

high-minded

adjective high-mind·ed \ ˈhī-ˈmīn-dəd \

Definition of high-minded

:marked by elevated principles and feelings; also :pretentious

too high-minded to read any fiction
—Alfred Kazin

—

high-mindedly

adverb

—

high-mindedness

noun

See high-minded defined for English-language learners

See high-minded defined for kids

First Known Use of high-minded

1556

high-minded Synonyms

Synonyms

big, chivalrous, elevated, gallant, great, greathearted, high, high-minded, lofty, lordly, magnanimous, natural, sublime

Antonyms

base, debased, degenerate, degraded, ignoble, low

Related Words

ennobled, exalted, glorified; heroic (also heroical), honorable, valiant, venerable, worthy; knightly, princely, regal; inspiring, moving, numinous, uplifting; august, magnificent, majestic

Near Antonyms

sordid, squalid, vile, wretched; abominable, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hateful, offensive, repulsive, ugly, vicious; dastardly, dirty, lousy, sorry; little, mean, narrow, small-minded; degrading, discreditable, humiliating, ignominious; coarse, crude, vulgar

HIGH-MINDED Defined for English Language Learners

high-minded

adjective

Definition of high-minded for English Language Learners

: having or showing intelligence and a strong moral character

Learn More about high-minded

See words that rhyme with high-minded Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for high-minded

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up high-minded? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

play

to suppress quietly or indirectly

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

8 Words That Put One Over on You

They'll put one over on you

alt-59ee3fc46688e

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

The word has quickly taken center stage

alt-59ea52ed7b96f

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

alt-59e900afadac6

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game