high-grade: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Business
Quick answer
What does “high-grade” mean?
Of superior quality, standard, or value.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Of superior quality, standard, or value.
Often used to describe materials, resources, or conditions that are of the best available quality; in medicine, can refer to aggressive or serious forms of disease.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Both varieties use the hyphenated form.
Connotations
Neutral to positive when referring to quality; negative and serious in medical contexts (e.g., high-grade tumour).
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American business/industry contexts, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “high-grade” in a Sentence
high-grade + noun (attributive)be + high-grade (predicative)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high-grade” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The geologist will high-grade the sample. (Rare/technical)
American English
- The assay confirmed we can high-grade this section of the mine. (Rare/technical)
adjective
British English
- The company specialises in high-grade aluminium for aerospace.
American English
- Investors sought the safety of high-grade municipal bonds.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to high-value materials or investments (e.g., high-grade corporate bonds).
Academic
Used in geology, materials science, and medicine to classify quality or severity.
Everyday
Less common; might be used for emphasis (e.g., 'That's high-grade coffee!').
Technical
Precise classification term in mining, metallurgy, and pathology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high-grade”
- Omitting the hyphen: 'high grade ore' (incorrect in attributive use).
- Confusing with 'highly graded' (which refers to an assessment score).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as a compound adjective before a noun (attributive). It may be written as two words after a verb (predicative), but hyphenation is still common.
It is atypical and potentially dehumanising. Use 'high-calibre', 'top-tier', or 'highly skilled' instead.
'Low-grade', indicating a less aggressive or serious form of a condition.
They are often synonymous, but 'high-grade' is more technical and implies a formal classification or ranking system exists (e.g., ore grades, cancer grades). 'High-quality' is more general.
Of superior quality, standard, or value.
High-grade is usually formal, technical, business in register.
High-grade: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈɡreɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈɡreɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this compound.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a school report: a 'high grade' (A) is the best. 'High-grade' materials get an A for quality.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS HEIGHT (high-grade, top-tier, low-quality).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'high-grade' most likely have a negative connotation?