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 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 Mailboxes with a small capacity range from about 5 to 19 inches wide, 4 to 14 inches deep, and 6 to 12 inches tall. Samantha S. Thorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 Saturday, March 9 Outdoor Yoga, 8:30 a.m. and Meditation 10 a.m. at Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: Beginner-friendly, yoga, meditation, and mindful dialogue on grass and under tall trees every Saturday. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Downtown Phoenix saw the rise of some of their tallest buildings and largest offices in this decade as well when the Century Link Tower, BMO Tower and Renaissance Square opened, among others. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 The suspect was described as being in his mid-to-late 20s, about 5 foot, 11 inches tall and heavyset. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024 Previous models have seen a tall and thin cover display. Ewan Spence, Forbes, 25 Feb. 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 19 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

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