high-carb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, technical (nutrition/dietetics)
Quick answer
What does “high-carb” mean?
Containing a large amount of carbohydrates.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Containing a large amount of carbohydrates.
Describing foods, diets, or meals that are rich in carbohydrates, often with implications for nutrition, health, or weight management.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling remains hyphenated in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar health and dietary connotations in both cultures, though specific cultural foods labeled 'high-carb' may differ (e.g., 'high-carb roast dinner' vs. 'high-carb Thanksgiving meal').
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to greater prominence of diet and fitness culture in media.
Grammar
How to Use “high-carb” in a Sentence
[high-carb] + noun (e.g., high-carb pasta)verb + [high-carb] + noun (e.g., avoid high-carb snacks)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high-carb” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- That jacket potato is rather high-carb for a side dish.
- Many traditional British puddings are unfortunately high-carb.
American English
- That bagel is too high-carb for my diet plan.
- Avoid high-carb sides like fries or cornbread.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for food products, diet plans, or fitness programmes (e.g., 'not for those on a high-carb diet').
Academic
Used in nutritional science, dietetics, and public health research papers.
Everyday
Common in conversations about diet, health, cooking, and weight management.
Technical
Precise descriptor in nutritional labelling, dietary guidelines, and clinical nutrition.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high-carb”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “high-carb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high-carb”
- Writing as one word 'highcarb' (must be hyphenated).
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'I eat a high-carb' – requires a following noun like 'diet').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., a high-carb diet). It may sometimes appear without a hyphen after a verb (e.g., The diet is high carb), but hyphenation is standard in formal writing.
It is typically neutral or negative in everyday health conversations. However, in sports nutrition or for individuals needing to gain weight, a high-carb diet can be recommended and viewed positively.
The direct opposite is 'low-carb'. More extreme opposites include 'carb-free' or 'zero-carb'.
It is common in technical fields like dietetics, but overall it is considered informal. More formal alternatives include 'carbohydrate-rich' or 'high in carbohydrates'.
Containing a large amount of carbohydrates.
High-carb: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈkɑːb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈkɑːrb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'high-carb']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'high' pile of 'carbs' (like bread or pasta) on a plate.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS HEIGHT (high = large amount).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'high-carb' MOST likely to be used?