tall
adjective
ˈtȯl 
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 life
W. A. White
W. A. White c
: highly exaggerated : incredible, improbable
a tall story
4
obsolete : brave, courageous
tall adverb
tallish
ˈtȯ-lish
adjective tallness
ˈtȯl-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- altitudinous
- high
- lofty
- towering
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 But the Jaguars face a tall task in the Bruins, who are averaging 555 yards of total offense through two games. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2022 Aside from tall black boots and a flattering pair of jeans, there's nothing more essential to your fall wardrobe than some staple sweaters. Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 Happy hour finds a busy marble bar, newly outfitted with tall tables, and a welcome trend: more hours in which to take advantage of predinner deals. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Odeyingbo spent a lot of his time as a young lineman looking for a pass rush instructor who knew how to teach players with tall, long-armed, big bodies. The Indianapolis Star, 15 Sep. 2022 As before, the Crosstrek is a tall subcompact crossover with plenty of ground clearance and black plastic body cladding. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 15 Sep. 2022 While wildfires are a natural part of the giant sequoia life cycle, extreme flames that topple the tall trees have proved deadly, especially in recent years as climate change intensifies the blazes. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 For a fashion-forward pirate look, style a flowy striped dress with tall boots and pirate accessories. Laurren Welch, Country Living, 15 Sep. 2022 One of Amazon's top-selling Christmas trees measures a solid 6 feet tall with plenty of branches ready for decorating. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 15 Sep. 2022 See More
Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2022 Aside from tall black boots and a flattering pair of jeans, there's nothing more essential to your fall wardrobe than some staple sweaters. Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 Happy hour finds a busy marble bar, newly outfitted with tall tables, and a welcome trend: more hours in which to take advantage of predinner deals. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Odeyingbo spent a lot of his time as a young lineman looking for a pass rush instructor who knew how to teach players with tall, long-armed, big bodies. The Indianapolis Star, 15 Sep. 2022 As before, the Crosstrek is a tall subcompact crossover with plenty of ground clearance and black plastic body cladding. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 15 Sep. 2022 While wildfires are a natural part of the giant sequoia life cycle, extreme flames that topple the tall trees have proved deadly, especially in recent years as climate change intensifies the blazes. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 For a fashion-forward pirate look, style a flowy striped dress with tall boots and pirate accessories. Laurren Welch, Country Living, 15 Sep. 2022 One of Amazon's top-selling Christmas trees measures a solid 6 feet tall with plenty of branches ready for decorating. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 15 Sep. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing tall
Kids Definition
tall 1 of 2
adjective
ˈtȯl
taller; tallest
1
: having unusually great height
2
: of a stated height
ten feet tall
3
: made up
a tall tale
tall
2 of 2adverb
: so as to be or look tall
Stand tall and straight.
tall
adjective
1
as in towering
extending to a great distance upward tall skyscrapers that cast long shadows over the park Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- towering
- high
- lofty
- statuesque
- dominant
- altitudinous
- prominent
- dominating
- elevated
- eminent
- lifted
- upswept
- raised
- uplifted
- high-rise
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- short
- squat
- low
- stubby
- stumpy
- flat
- low-lying
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort that's a pretty tall order Synonyms & Similar Words
- difficult
- challenging
- tough
- hard
- formidable
- demanding
- heavy
- rugged
- rigorous
- complicated
- sweaty
- rough
- severe
- stiff
- uphill
- effortful
- intricate
- testing
- killer
- complex
- strenuous
- murderous
- arduous
- hairy
- herculean
- exhausting
- laborious
- exacting
- grueling
- painful
- backbreaking
- toilsome
- stubborn
- spiny
- serious
- pick-and-shovel
- elusive
- annoying
- involved
- gruelling
- tight
- problematic
- moiling
- thorny
- abstract
- opaque
- bruising
- hellacious
- knotty
- trying
- oppressive
- tricky
- ticklish
- grim
- strict
- labored
- insoluble
- abstruse
- burdensome
- taxing
- troublesome
- brutal
- recondite
- stressful
- stringent
- onerous
- Augean
- problematical
- bothersome
- vexatious
- irksome
- cruel
- distressing
- inhuman
- grievous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- light
- soft
- simple
- easy
- cheap
- clear
- undemanding
- smooth
- achievable
- elementary
- facile
- gentle
- effortless
- uncomplicated
- mindless
- doable
- manageable
- comforting
- friendly
- relaxed
- soothing
- accessible
- painless
- user-friendly
- idiotproof
Synonym Chooser
The words high and lofty are common synonyms of tall. While all three words mean "above the average in height," tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.
a tall thin man
Although the words high and tall have much in common, 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
While in some cases nearly identical to tall, lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.
lofty mountain peaks