What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
highest
Example
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. [highest: adjective]
Example
The highest score in the game was 100 points. [highest: noun]
Example
She holds the highest position in the company. [highest: adjective]
tallest
Example
The tallest man in the world is over 8 feet tall. [tallest: adjective]
Example
The tallest building in the city is 100 stories high. [tallest: adjective]
Example
The tallest tree in the forest is over 300 feet tall. [tallest: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tallest is more commonly used than highest in everyday language, especially when describing physical height. Highest is more formal and less common, but it can be used in various contexts to describe levels, ranks, or limits.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between highest and tallest?
Highest is generally considered more formal than tallest, and it is often used in academic or professional settings to describe levels, ranks, or limits. Tallest is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts to describe physical height.
