noun
Uncommon
highland
HEYE-luhnd
Highland (noun) means an area of land that sits higher than the land around it. Example: “Coffee grows well in the cool highland regions.”
noun
1
An area of land that sits higher than the land around it.
"Coffee grows well in the cool highland regions."
"Sheep graze on the highland above the village during the summer months."
"The river begins in a remote highland and winds down towards the sea."
"The highlands of the Swiss Alps are home to many unique flowers."
adj
1
Relating to hilly or mountainous terrain, especially the Scottish Highlands.
"He wore a traditional highland kilt to the wedding."
"We went walking in the highland scenery and stopped to photograph the misty hills."
"The highland weather can change from sunshine to heavy rain within an hour."
How to use highland
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHigh, hilly ground, or anything associated with such regions — most famously the Scottish Highlands.
Common pairings
highland region
highland dress
highland cattle
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Word forms
- Plural
- highlands
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Coffee grows well in the cool _____ regions.
Etymology
From Old English hēahland, a straightforward compound of high and land, also found in similar forms across the Germanic languages.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “highland” mean?
The word “highland” means an area of land that sits higher than the land around it. In plain terms, high, hilly ground, or anything associated with such regions — most famously the Scottish Highlands.
How do you pronounce “highland”?
“Highland” is pronounced HEYE-luhnd (/ˈhaɪ.lənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “highland” in a sentence?
Here is “highland” used in a sentence: “Coffee grows well in the cool highland regions.”
What part of speech is “highland”?
Depending on how it is used, “highland” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “highland” come from?
The word “highland” comes from Old English. From Old English hēahland, a straightforward compound of high and land, also found in similar forms across the Germanic languages.
Is “highland” a common word?
“Highland” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “highland” have?
“Highland” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an area of land that sits higher than the land around it.
What is the difference between a highland and a plateau?
A highland is simply an area of land that sits higher than the surrounding land, without implying a particular shape. A plateau is a specific type of highland with a flat top, raised above the surrounding area on at least one side by a steep slope.
What does "Highland" refer to when capitalized?
Capitalized, "Highland" most often refers to the Scottish Highlands, the mountainous region of northern Scotland, or is used as an adjective relating to that area, as in Highland dress or Highland cattle.
Is highland used as both a noun and an adjective?
Yes, highland can function as a noun referring to an area of elevated land, or as an adjective describing something relating to hilly or mountainous terrain, especially the Scottish Highlands. Both uses are common in geographic and cultural contexts.
