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noun Uncommon

highness

HEYE-nuhs

Highness (noun) means a formal title used to address or refer to a prince, princess, or other member of a royal family. Example: “The guests bowed as they addressed Her Royal Highness.”

noun
1
A formal title used to address or refer to a prince, princess, or other member of a royal family.
"The guests bowed as they addressed Her Royal Highness."
2
The state or quality of being high.
"The highness of the cliffs made the climb dangerous."

How to use highness

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA royal title ("Your Highness"), or, less commonly, the literal quality of being tall or elevated.

Common pairings
Her Royal Highness His Highness

Word forms

highnesses plural, Highnesses plural

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The guests bowed as they addressed Her Royal _____.

Etymology

From Middle English hyghnesse, built from high plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “highness” mean?

The word “highness” means a formal title used to address or refer to a prince, princess, or other member of a royal family. In plain terms, a royal title ("Your Highness"), or, less commonly, the literal quality of being tall or elevated.

How do you pronounce “highness”?

“Highness” is pronounced HEYE-nuhs (/ˈhaɪnəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “highness” in a sentence?

Here is “highness” used in a sentence: “The guests bowed as they addressed Her Royal Highness.”

What part of speech is “highness”?

“Highness” is a noun.

Where does the word “highness” come from?

The word “highness” comes from Middle English. From Middle English hyghnesse, built from high plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.

Is “highness” a common word?

“Highness” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “highness” have?

“Highness” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal title used to address or refer to a prince, princess, or other member of a royal family.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial