High vs. Sigh — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 16, 2024
"High" refers to something elevated or extreme in position or degree, while "sigh" denotes a long, deep breath expressing sadness, relief, or tiredness.
Difference Between High and Sigh
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"High" can describe physical elevation, like a mountain peak, whereas "sigh" is a vocal expression of emotion, often unintentional.
In terms of emotions, feeling "high" typically implies a state of happiness or exhilaration, on the other hand, a "sigh" often accompanies feelings of sorrow or exhaustion.
"High" is also used to describe heightened states, such as high alert, while "sigh" can signal a release of stress or tension.
Regarding usage in language, "high" can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, while "sigh" is primarily used as a noun and verb.
In literature, "high" might symbolize lofty ideals or ambitions, whereas "sigh" often symbolizes resignation or melancholy.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective, noun, adverb
Noun, verb
Typical Usage
Describes elevation or intensity
Expresses emotion (sadness, relief)
Emotional Connotation
Excitement, happiness, danger
Sadness, relief, tiredness
Physical Representation
Elevated positions, high measurements
Breathing out slowly with audible sound
Symbolic Meaning
Ambitions, extremes, elevated status
Resignation, weariness, emotional release
Compare with Definitions
High
Elevated in position.
The bird flew high above the trees.
Sigh
A sound representing a feeling of weariness or relief.
His answer came out as a sigh.
High
Of great vertical extent.
He climbed the high mountain to see the sunrise.
Sigh
To emit a long, deep, audible breath expressing sadness, relief, or fatigue.
She sighed deeply after hearing the news.
High
Advanced in complexity or sophistication.
They engaged in high mathematics during the workshop.
Sigh
A gesture of longing or despair.
With a sigh, he returned to his work.
High
In a state of euphoria, often due to substances.
The crowd was high on excitement.
Sigh
A slight movement of air.
A gentle sigh of wind brushed the leaves.
High
Greater than normal in degree, intensity, or amount.
She has a high level of expertise in linguistics.
Sigh
To feel a deep yearning or regret.
He often sighs for his days as a young sailor.
High
Of great vertical extent
The top of a high mountain
Sigh
Emit a long, deep audible breath expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or similar
Harry sank into a chair and sighed with relief
High
Great, or greater than normal, in quantity, size, or intensity
A high temperature
Sweets are very high in calories
Sigh
A long, deep audible exhalation expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or similar
The councils heaved a sigh of relief when they saved over £6m between them
She let out a long sigh of despair
High
Great in rank, status, or importance
Both held high office under Lloyd George
Financial security is high on your list of priorities
Sigh
To exhale audibly in a long deep breath, as in weariness or relief.
High
(of a sound or note) having a frequency at the upper end of the auditory range
A high, squeaky voice
Sigh
To emit a similar sound
Willows sighing in the wind.
High
Feeling euphoric, especially from the effects of drugs or alcohol
Some of them were high on Ecstasy
She wasn't tipsy, just a little high
Sigh
To feel longing or grief; yearn
Sighing for their lost youth.
High
(especially of food) unpleasantly strong-smelling because beginning to go bad
It's a type of preserved butter, used for cooking, smells a little high
Sigh
To express with or as if with an audible exhalation.
High
(of a vowel) produced with the tongue relatively near the palate.
Sigh
(Archaic) To lament.
High
A high point, level, or figure
Commodity prices were at a rare high
Sigh
The act or sound of sighing.
High
A notably happy or successful moment
The highs and lows of life
Sigh
(intransitive) To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, frustration, or the like.
When she saw it wasn't damaged, she sighed with relief.
He sighed. It was going to be a long night.
He sighed over the lost opportunity.
High
High school
I go to junior high
Sigh
(intransitive) To lament; to grieve.
High
At or to a considerable or specified height
The sculpture stood about five feet high
A dish piled high with baked beans
Sigh
(transitive) To utter sighs over; to lament or mourn over.
High
Highly
He ranked high among the pioneers of chemical technology
Sigh
(intransitive) To make a sound like sighing.
High
(of a sound) at or to a high pitch
My voice went high with excitement
Sigh
(transitive) To exhale (the breath) in sighs.
She sighed a sigh that was nearly a groan.
Sigh a note and sing a note
High
Having a relatively great elevation; extending far upward
A high mountain.
A high tower.
Sigh
(transitive) To express by sighs; to utter in or with sighs.
"I guess I have no choice," she sighed.
She sighed her frustrations.
High
Extending a specified distance upward
A cabinet ten feet high.
Sigh
A deep, prolonged audible inhale and exhale of breath; as when fatigued, frustrated, grieved, or relieved; the act of sighing.
High
Far or farther from a reference point
Was too high in the offensive zone to take a shot.
Sigh
(figurative) a manifestation of grief; a lament.
High
Being at or near the peak or culminating stage
The high tourist season.
High summer.
Sigh
(Cockney rhyming slang) A person who is bored.
High
Advanced in development or complexity
High forms of animal life.
Higher mathematics.
Sigh
An expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, frustration, or the like, often used in casual written contexts.
Sigh, I'm so bored at work today.
High
Far removed in time; remote
High antiquity.
Sigh
To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, or the like.
High
Slightly spoiled or tainted; gamy. Used of meat.
Sigh
Hence, to lament; to grieve.
He sighed deeply in his spirit.
High
Having a bad smell; malodorous.
Sigh
To make a sound like sighing.
And the coming wind did roar more loud,And the sails did sigh like sedge.
The winter winds are wearily sighing.
High
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively large number of sound-wave cycles per second
The high tones of a flute.
Sigh
To exhale (the breath) in sighs.
Never man sighed truer breath.
High
Raised in pitch; not soft or hushed
A high voice.
Sigh
To utter sighs over; to lament or mourn over.
Ages to come, and men unborn,Shall bless her name, and sigh her fate.
High
Situated relatively far from the equator
A high latitude.
Sigh
To express by sighs; to utter in or with sighs.
They . . . sighed forth proverbs.
The gentle swain . . . sighs back her grief.
High
Of great importance
Set a high priority on funding the housing program.
Sigh
A deep and prolonged audible inspiration or respiration of air, as when fatigued or grieved; the act of sighing.
I could drive the boat with my sighs.
High
Eminent in rank or status
A high official.
Sigh
Figuratively, a manifestation of grief; a lan ent.
With their sighs the airFrequenting, sent from hearts contrite.
High
Serious; grave
High crimes and misdemeanors.
Sigh
An utterance made by exhaling audibly
High
Constituting a climax; crucial
The chase scene is the high point of the film.
Sigh
A sound like a person sighing;
She heard the sigh of the wind in the trees
High
Characterized by lofty or stirring events or themes
High adventure.
High drama.
Sigh
Heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily;
She sighed sadly
High
Lofty or exalted in quality or character
A person of high morals.
Sigh
Utter with a sigh
High
Greater than usual or expected, as in quantity, magnitude, cost, or degree
“A high price has to be paid for the happy marriage with the four healthy children” (Doris Lessing).
High
Favorable
He has a high opinion of himself.
High
Of great force or violence
High winds.
High
(Informal) Excited or euphoric
High spirits.
High
(Slang) Intoxicated by alcohol or a drug, such as cocaine or marijuana.
High
Luxurious; extravagant
High living.
High
(Linguistics) Of or relating to vowels produced with part of the tongue close to the palate, as in the vowel of tree.
High
Of, relating to, or being the gear configuration or setting, as in an automotive transmission, that produces the greatest vehicular speed with respect to engine speed.
High
At, in, or to a lofty position, level, or degree
Saw a plane flying high in the sky.
Prices that had gone too high.
High
In an extravagant or luxurious way
Made a fortune and lived high.
High
A lofty place or region.
High
A high level or degree
Summer temperatures reached an all-time high.
High
The high gear configuration of a transmission.
High
A center of high atmospheric pressure; an anticyclone.
High
(Informal) An excited or euphoric condition
The team was on a high after winning in overtime.
High
(Slang) An intoxicated or euphoric condition induced by alcohol or a drug.
High
Physically elevated, extending above a base or average level:
High
Very elevated; extending or being far above a base; tall; lofty.
The balloon rose high in the sky.
The wall was high.
A high mountain
High
Relatively elevated; rising or raised above the average or normal level from which elevation is measured.
High
Above the batter's shoulders.
The pitch (or: the ball) was high
High
Pertaining to (or, especially of a language: spoken in) in an area which is at a greater elevation, for example more mountainous, than other regions.
High
Having a specified elevation or height; tall.
Three feet high
Three Mount Everests high
High
Elevated in status, esteem, or prestige, or in importance or development; exalted in rank, station, or character.
The oldest of the elves' royal family still conversed in High Elvish.
High
Most exalted; foremost.
The high priest, the high officials of the court, the high altar
High
Of great importance and consequence: grave (if negative) or solemn (if positive).
High crimes, the high festival of the sun
High
Consummate; advanced (e.g. in development) to the utmost extent or culmination, or possessing a quality in its supreme degree, at its zenith.
High (i.e. intense) heat; high (i.e. full or quite) noon; high (i.e. rich or spicy) seasoning; high (i.e. complete) pleasure; high (i.e. deep or vivid) colour; high (i.e. extensive, thorough) scholarship; high tide; high [tourism] season; the High Middle Ages
High
Advanced in complexity (and hence potentially abstract and/or difficult to comprehend).
High
(in several set phrases) Very traditionalist and conservative, especially in favoring older ways of doing things; see e.g. high church, High Tory.
High
Elevated in mood; marked by great merriment, excitement, etc.
In high spirits
High
(of a lifestyle) Luxurious; rich.
High living, the high life
High
Lofty, often to the point of arrogant, haughty, boastful, proud.
A high tone
High
(with "on" or "about") Keen, enthused.
High
With tall waves.
High
Remote (to the north or south) from the equator; situated at (or constituting) a latitude which is expressed by a large number.
High latitude, fish species in high arctic and antarctic areas
High
Large, great (in amount or quantity, value, force, energy, etc).
My bank charges me a high interest rate.
I was running a high temperature and had high cholesterol.
High voltage
High prices
High winds
A high number
High
Having a large or comparatively larger concentration of (a substance, which is often but not always linked by "in" when predicative).
Carrots are high in vitamin A.
Made from a high-copper alloy
High
(acoustics) Acute or shrill in pitch, due to being of greater frequency, i.e. produced by more rapid vibrations (wave oscillations).
The note was too high for her to sing.
High
(phonetics) Made with some part of the tongue positioned high in the mouth, relatively close to the palate.
High
(card games) Greater in value than other cards, denominations, suits, etc.
High
(poker) Having the highest rank in a straight, flush or straight flush.
I have KT742 of the same suit. In other words, a K-high flush.
9-high straight = 98765 unsuited
Royal Flush = AKQJT suited = A-high straight flush
High
(of a card or hand) Winning; able to take a trick, win a round, etc.
North's hand was high. East was in trouble.
High
Strong-scented; slightly tainted/spoiled; beginning to decompose.
Epicures do not cook game before it is high.
The tailor liked his meat high.
High
(informal) intoxicated; under the influence of a mood-altering drug, formerly usually alcohol, but now (from the mid-20th century) usually not alcohol but rather marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc.
High
Near, in its direction of travel, to the (direction of the) wind.
High
Positioned up the field, towards the opposing team's goal.
Our defensive line is too high.
High
In or to an elevated position.
How high above land did you fly?
The desks were piled high with magazines.
High
In or at a great value.
Costs have grown higher this year again.
High
At a pitch of great frequency.
I certainly can't sing that high.
High
A high point or position, literally (as, an elevated place; a superior region; a height; the sky; heaven).or figuratively (as, a point of success or achievement; a time when things are at their best, greatest, most numerous, maximum, etc).
It was one of the highs of his career.
Inflation reached a ten-year high.
High
The maximum atmospheric temperature recorded at a particular location, especially during one 24-hour period.
Today's high was 32 °C.
High
A period of euphoria, from excitement or from an intake of drugs.
That pill gave me a high for a few hours, before I had a comedown.
High
A drug that gives such a high.
High
A large area of elevated atmospheric pressure; an anticyclone.
A large high is centred on the Azores.
High
(card games) The highest card dealt or drawn.
High
(obsolete) Thought; intention; determination; purpose.
High
(obsolete) To rise.
The sun higheth.
High
To hie; to hasten.
High
To hie.
Men must high them apace, and make haste.
High
To rise; as, the sun higheth.
High
Elevated above any starting point of measurement, as a line, or surface; having altitude; lifted up; raised or extended in the direction of the zenith; lofty; tall; as, a high mountain, tower, tree; the sun is high.
High
Regarded as raised up or elevated; distinguished; remarkable; conspicuous; superior; - used indefinitely or relatively, and often in figurative senses, which are understood from the connection
High
Elevated in character or quality, whether moral or intellectual; preëminent; honorable; as, high aims, or motives.
High
Possessing a characteristic quality in a supreme or superior degree; as, high (i. e., intense) heat; high (i. e., full or quite) noon; high (i. e., rich or spicy) seasoning; high (i. e., complete) pleasure; high (i. e., deep or vivid) color; high (i. e., extensive, thorough) scholarship, etc.
High time it is this war now ended were.
High sauces and spices are fetched from the Indies.
High
Exalted in social standing or general estimation, or in rank, reputation, office, and the like; dignified; as, she was welcomed in the highest circles.
He was a wight of high renown.
High
Strong-scented; slightly tainted; as, epicures do not cook game before it is high.
High
Of noble birth; illustrious; as, of high family.
High
Acute or sharp; - opposed to grave or low; as, a high note.
High
Of great strength, force, importance, and the like; strong; mighty; powerful; violent; sometimes, triumphant; victorious; majestic, etc.; as, a high wind; high passions.
Strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
Can heavenly minds such high resentment show?
High
Made with a high position of some part of the tongue in relation to the palate, as ē (ēve), Ō (fŌd). See Guide to Pronunciation, 10, 11.
High
Very abstract; difficult to comprehend or surmount; grand; noble.
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Plain living and high thinking are no more.
High
Costly; dear in price; extravagant; as, to hold goods at a high price.
If they must be good at so high a rate, they know they may be safe at a cheaper.
High
Arrogant; lofty; boastful; proud; ostentatious; - used in a bad sense.
An high look and a proud heart . . . is sin.
His forces, after all the high discourses, amounted really but to eighteen hundred foot.
High
In a high manner; in a high place; to a great altitude; to a great degree; largely; in a superior manner; eminently; powerfully.
High
An elevated place; a superior region; a height; the sky; heaven.
High
People of rank or high station; as, high and low.
High
The highest card dealt or drawn.
The dayspring from on high hath visited us.
High
A lofty level or position or degree;
Summer temperatures reached an all-time high
High
An air mass of higher than normal pressure;
The east coast benefits from a Bermuda high
High
A state of sustained elation;
I'm on a permanent high these days
High
A state of altered consciousness induced by alcohol or narcotics;
They took drugs to get a high on
High
A high place;
They stood on high and observed the coutryside
He doesn't like heights
High
A public secondary school usually including grades 9 through 12;
He goes to the neighborhood highschool
High
A forward gear with a gear ratio giving high vehicle velocity for a given engine speed
High
Greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount;
A high temperature
A high price
The high point of his career
High risks
Has high hopes
The river is high
He has a high opinion of himself
High
(literal meanings) being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation or upward extension (sometimes used in combinations like `knee-high');
A high mountain
High ceilings
High buildings
A high forehead
A high incline
A foot high
High
Standing above others in quality or position;
People in high places
The high priest
Eminent members of the community
High
Used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency
High
Happy and excited and energetic
High
Used of the smell of game beginning to taint
High
Slightly and pleasantly intoxicated from alcohol or a drug (especially marijuana)
High
At a great altitude;
He climbed high on the ladder
High
In or to a high position, amount, or degree;
Prices have gone up far too high
High
In a rich manner;
He lives high
High
Far up toward the source;
He lives high up the river
Common Curiosities
What does "high" typically indicate in measurements?
High refers to a measurement that is above the average or expected range.
What does a "sigh" usually express?
A sigh typically expresses emotions like relief, tiredness, or sadness.
Is "sighing" always linked to negative emotions?
Not always; it can also indicate relief or resignation after stress.
How does "high" compare to "low"?
High indicates greater elevation or intensity, while low refers to lesser degrees.
Can "high" be used to describe feelings?
Yes, it can describe intense positive emotions, like being high on life.
What might cause someone to feel "high"?
Experiences like success, love, or using stimulants can make someone feel high.
Can "high" relate to danger?
Yes, being in a high place or state can sometimes imply potential danger or risk.
Is it common to use "high" in everyday language?
Yes, it's commonly used to describe anything from emotions to physical heights.
Does a "sigh" serve a physical purpose?
Yes, sighing can help reset breathing patterns and release tension.
Does "high" have a technical usage?
Yes, it's used in various contexts like high technology or high finance, indicating advanced or complex levels.
Are there positive contexts for "sigh"?
Yes, one might sigh in relief or contentment as well.
Can animals sigh?
Yes, animals, like humans, can sigh, often indicating contentment or relaxation.
What part of speech is "sigh" when describing a sound?
As a sound, "sigh" is used as a noun.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
