tall

adjective

\ ˈtȯl

How to pronounce tall (audio)

\

Definition of tall

1a : high in stature

b : of a specified height five feet tall

2a : of considerable height tall trees

b : long from bottom to top a tall book

c : of a higher growing variety or species of plant

3a : large or formidable in amount, extent, or degree a tall order to fill

b : pompous, high-flown tall talk about the vast mysteries of life— W. A. White

c : highly exaggerated : incredible, improbable a tall story

4 obsolete : brave, courageous

Other Words from tall Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about tall

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Other Words from tall

tall adverb

tallish \ ˈtȯ-lish

\ adjective

tallness \ ˈtȯl-nəs

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for tall

Synonyms

altitudinous, high, lofty, towering

Antonyms

low, low-lying, short, squat

Choose the Right Synonym for tall

high, tall, lofty mean above the average in height. high implies marked extension upward and is applied chiefly to things which rise from a base or foundation or are placed at a conspicuous height above a lower level. a high hill a high ceiling tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness. a tall thin man lofty suggests great or imposing altitude. lofty mountain peaks

Examples of tall in a Sentence

All the children in my family grew up to be very tall. My mother is short but my father is fairly tall. The giraffe is the tallest animal. The drinks were served in tall glasses. She is five feet tall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Each is made from cocoa paste and towers up to 6 feet tall. — Kathleen Christiansen, orlandosentinel.com, "World Chocolate Day: Chocolate Museum & Cafe and Chocolate Kingdom offer tours," 7 July 2019 At birth, elephants weigh about 200 pounds and stand about three feet tall. — National Geographic, "Asian Elephant," 7 July 2019 Deputies destroyed 1286 marijuana plants ranging from 3 to 5 feet tall. — Ukiah Daily Journal, The Mercury News, "Bloody trail from shooting leads to marijuana farm; 1,200 plants destroyed," 5 July 2019 Treat yourself to waves up to 6 feet tall in the 750,000-gallon wave pool. — Laurel Deppen, The Courier-Journal, "30 things we love about Kentucky Kingdom for its 30th anniversary," 3 July 2019 The suspects are described as African American males between the ages of 25 and 35, and 5’ feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE.com, "Two-Year-Old Texas Boy Fatally Shot During Home Invasion Robbery: "This is Unacceptable"," 3 July 2019 The painting of Raymond, 16 feet tall, leans against the catwalk in the mill. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, "13 years and millions of dollars later, the ambitious, enormous American Mural Project is coming together," 1 July 2019 Alexander said, noting that children over 36 inches tall can enjoy the water feature. — Jennifer Franklin, USA TODAY, "Discover the best places to chill out poolside at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa," 1 July 2019 Additionally, both cities have passed ordinances that require homeowners to keep their yards in tiptop shape during fire season — no grass above 4 inches tall on lots less than an acre and all tree limbs pruned on the first 6 feet of the trunk. — Kurtis Alexander, SFChronicle.com, "Fearful of being the next Paradise, Grass Valley confronts its fire vulnerability," 30 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near tall

Statistics for tall

Last Updated

10 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for tall

The first known use of tall was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for tall

tall

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of tall

: greater in height than the average person, building, etc.

: having a specified height

See the full definition for tall in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tall

adjective

\ ˈtȯl

\

taller; tallest

Kids Definition of tall

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : having unusually great height

2 : of a stated height ten feet tall

3 : made up a tall tale

tall

adverb

Kids Definition of tall (Entry 2 of 2)

: so as to be or look tall Stand tall and straight.

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