adj
tall
tawl
adj
1
Having greater than average height.
"Their new coach is remarkably tall for a gymnast."
"The tall building cast a long shadow over the street."
2
Hard to believe; exaggerated, as in a "tall tale" or "tall story."
"He told a tall tale about catching a shark with his bare hands."
How to Use Tall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAbove average in height, or (informally) an exaggerated or unbelievable story.
Common mistake
"A tall order" means a difficult demand, not anything related to height.
Common pairings
tall order
tall tale
stand tall
Word Forms
taller comparative, talls plural, tallest superlative
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Etymology
From Middle English tall, originally meaning "seemly, handsome, or bold" rather than referring to height; the height-related meaning developed later, in an unusual shift for an adjective.