high water: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal, semi-formal, technical (hydrology, navigation)
Quick answer
What does “high water” mean?
The state of the tide when at its highest level.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of the tide when at its highest level; the highest point reached by a body of water, especially a river.
The peak, climax, or most successful point of something; a situation where something has reached its maximum level or capacity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. 'High tide' is a more common everyday synonym for the literal meaning in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties. The figurative use ('high-water mark') is equally understood and used.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in the figurative sense ('high-water mark') in historical or business contexts (e.g., "the high-water mark of the empire").
Grammar
How to Use “high water” in a Sentence
The [river] reached high water [at midnight].[Event/Period] marked the high-water mark of [movement/era].It's safe to cross [only] at low water, not at high water.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high water” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The high-water mark was clearly visible on the old stone pier.
- They recorded the high-water levels for the Thames.
American English
- The flood left a high-water line on all the buildings.
- That year was the high-water mark for sales in our sector.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'The company's profits reached their high-water mark in 2018.'
Academic
Literal in geography/history: 'Sediment layers indicate periods of exceptional high water.' Figurative: 'The treaty represented the high-water mark of diplomatic cooperation.'
Everyday
Literal: 'The path by the river floods at high water.'
Technical
Literal in hydrology/navigation: 'Vessel draft must be considered relative to the predicted time of high water.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high water”
- Using 'high water' as an adjective (*high water level) instead of the compound noun 'high-water level' or 'highwater level'. Confusing 'high water' with 'high sea', which refers to the open ocean, not tidal state.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'High tide' specifically refers to the tidal cycle in seas and oceans. 'High water' can refer to tidal waters but is also used for rivers, lakes, or any body of water reaching its highest level, often due to flooding or seasonal changes.
It is most commonly written as two words ('high water'), especially in its literal sense. When used as a modifier (e.g., 'high-water mark'), it is often hyphenated. The single word 'highwater' is less common but sometimes seen, especially in American English in compound terms.
Yes, primarily in the phrase 'high-water mark' to mean the peak or climax of something, such as an era, a career, or success. The standalone term 'high water' is less commonly used figuratively on its own.
Not as a standard phrase. You might say 'at high water' or 'during high water'. The common idiom is 'come hell or high water'. The phrase 'in deep water' is a separate idiom meaning 'in trouble'.
The state of the tide when at its highest level.
High water is usually formal, semi-formal, technical (hydrology, navigation) in register.
High water: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈwɔːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈwɔːtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “High-water mark (the highest point or stage of achievement)”
- “Come hell or high water (no matter what difficulties arise)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a line (mark) on a wall showing how HIGH the WATER reached during a flood. That's the 'high-water mark'—the highest point something got to.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS / ACHIEVEMENT IS A HIGH TIDE (e.g., 'the high-water mark of her career'). DIFFICULTIES ARE HIGH WATER (e.g., 'come hell or high water').
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'come hell or high water', what does 'high water' metaphorically represent?