high-flyer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Semi-formal to informal, mainly journalistic and business contexts.
Quick answer
What does “high-flyer” mean?
A person who is or is expected to be highly successful, especially in a career or academic setting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is or is expected to be highly successful, especially in a career or academic setting.
1) Someone who is ambitious and rises quickly to a position of power or success. 2) In finance, a stock or other investment that has risen rapidly in value. 3) A person or thing that operates or performs at a high level. 4) A metaphorical term for an ambitious achiever.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'high-flyer' is standard in British English. In American English, the spelling 'high-flier' is equally common, though 'high-flyer' is also understood. The term itself is used in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common and established in British business/journalistic contexts. In American English, alternatives like 'go-getter' or 'rising star' might be more frequent in casual speech.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in UK business media; lower frequency in general US English, where it may sound somewhat British-influenced.
Grammar
How to Use “high-flyer” in a Sentence
[be/consider] a high-flyer[recruit/promote/identify] high-flyers[cater to/aimed at] high-flyersVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to employees identified for rapid promotion due to exceptional talent and drive.
Academic
Describes a student who excels and is predicted to achieve great things.
Everyday
Used to describe someone in one's social circle who is very successful in their career.
Technical
In finance, refers to a stock whose price has increased very rapidly.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high-flyer”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “high-flyer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high-flyer”
- Using it as an adjective without a noun (e.g., 'She is very high-flyer' - correct: 'She is a high-flyer').
- Misspelling as 'highflier' or 'high flyer' (the hyphenated form is standard).
- Confusing with 'high-flier' meaning a literal aviator, which is archaic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes, it praises someone's talent and ambition. However, context matters; it can sometimes imply they are overly ambitious, reckless, or part of a privileged elite.
Yes, particularly in financial contexts where it can describe a stock or investment showing rapid growth. It can also metaphorically describe a company experiencing fast success.
A 'high-flyer' emphasises successful outcomes and rapid advancement. A 'workaholic' emphasises the compulsive behaviour of working long hours, which may or may not lead to being a high-flyer.
No, there is no standard verb form 'to high-fly'. The concept is expressed with phrases like 'to be a high-flyer', 'to rise quickly', or 'to soar'.
A person who is or is expected to be highly successful, especially in a career or academic setting.
High-flyer is usually semi-formal to informal, mainly journalistic and business contexts. in register.
High-flyer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈflaɪ.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈflaɪ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A high-flyer who crashed and burned.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'high-flyer' as a corporate jet - it flies high above the rest, fast and destined for important places.
Conceptual Metaphor
CAREER IS A JOURNEY/FLIGHT (Soaring high, taking off, climbing fast, crashing).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'high-flyer' LEAST likely to be used?