1
a
: high in stature
b
: of a specified height
five feet tall
2
a
: of considerable height
tall trees
b
: long from bottom to top
a tall book
c
: of a higher growing variety or species of plant
3
a
: large or formidable in amount, extent, or degree
a tall order to fill
b
: pompous, high-flown
tall talk about the vast mysteries of lifeW. A. White
c
: highly exaggerated : incredible, improbable
a tall story
4
obsolete : brave, courageous
tall adverb
tallish adjective
tallness noun
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 Donald and Daisy are about three inches tall and have outstretched arms. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024 The area is home to the world’s tallest trees — some reaching more than 350 feet (105 meters). Julie Watson, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 In 2003, Julien established his own auction house; Martin Nolan, a tall, droll Irishman with a background in finance, later joined him as the company’s chief financial officer and, eventually, its co-owner. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Strain is 6 feet 5 inches tall, with blue eyes and light brown hair, and police as well as his friends, family and community members now involved in the search have shared multiple photos of him along with descriptions. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024 Invisible from the street behind layers of mature trees and tall hedges, the home’s entryway offers a vaulted ceiling and abundant white oak, design features that carry on throughout the rest of the house. James McClain, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 Dino’s the tallest, most sensitive one of the bunch. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 The Americans were eight minutes away from escaping with the win when Canada’s Jordyn Huitema — at 5-foot-11, the tallest player on her team — went high to head in an Ashley Lawrence cross for the game-tying goal, sending the game to extra time. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tal, probably from Old English getæl quick, ready; akin to Old High German gizal quick

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

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

Dictionary Entries Near tall

Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tall. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tall

adjective
1
a
: having unusually great height
b
: of a specified height
five feet tall
2
a
: large in amount, extent, or degree
a tall order to fill
b
: greatly exaggerated : improbable
a tall tale
tall adverb
tallness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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