noun
HS
aych-ESS
HS (noun) means High school; the secondary school stage in the United States, usually covering ages fourteen to eighteen. Example: “We've known each other since HS.”
noun
1
informal, chiefly US High school; the secondary school stage in the United States, usually covering ages fourteen to eighteen.
"We've known each other since HS."
"He teaches HS chemistry in Ohio."
How to use HS
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort for high school.
When to use it
Informal shorthand in American texting and school administration. Spell it out in formal writing.
Memory tip
HS in a medical note can mean at bedtime, from Latin hora somni; the reading is context-dependent.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
HS diploma
HS senior
HS reunion
since HS
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like HS.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We've known each other since _____.
Etymology
An abbreviation of high school.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does HS mean in text messages?
Almost always high school, as in HS reunion or since HS. It is a written shorthand rather than something people say aloud, and the context is normally school, age or a shared past.
What is the difference between HS and MS?
In the American system MS is middle school, roughly ages eleven to fourteen, and HS is high school, roughly fourteen to eighteen. Together with elementary school they make up the standard progression before college.
What is the meaning of HS?
"HS" (noun) means high school; the secondary school stage in the United States, usually covering ages fourteen to eighteen.
What is another word for HS?
Other words for "HS" include hassium.
