high-water mark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal, sometimes journalistic/academic.
Quick answer
What does “high-water mark” mean?
The highest level or point that something (like water, success, or achievement) has reached.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The highest level or point that something (like water, success, or achievement) has reached.
The peak or pinnacle of something, often used metaphorically to describe the greatest achievement or the most successful point in a process, career, or historical period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling and form are identical.
Connotations
Slightly more common in historical and journalistic contexts in the UK. In the US, it's frequently used in business and political commentary.
Frequency
Moderate and roughly equivalent frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “high-water mark” in a Sentence
The [EVENT/ACHIEVEMENT] was the high-water mark of [ERA/CAREER].It reached its high-water mark in [YEAR].This period represents the high-water mark for [NOUN PHRASE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high-water mark” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The team's high-water-mark season was back in 1998.
American English
- The high-water-mark figure for sales remains from the third quarter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to the peak of a company's profits or market share.
Academic
Describing the pinnacle of a historical movement, artistic period, or philosophical school.
Everyday
Less common. Might be used to describe the best moment of a holiday or a sports team's season.
Technical
In hydrology or geology, the literal physical mark or measurement of maximum water level.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high-water mark”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “high-water mark”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high-water mark”
- Misspelling as 'high water-mark' or 'highwater mark'. It is a hyphenated compound noun.
- Using it to mean 'starting point' or 'benchmark' (it specifically means the *highest* point achieved).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to high-water mark' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has a literal meaning in geography and hydrology referring to the highest level reached by a body of water. However, its metaphorical use is far more common in general language.
No, it is exclusively a noun. You cannot 'high-water mark' something.
The direct opposite is 'low-water mark,' which also has both literal (lowest tide level) and metaphorical (lowest point) meanings.
The standard, traditional spelling for the term meaning 'peak' is the hyphenated 'high-water mark'. 'Watermark' (one word) typically refers to a faint design in paper or a digital label in media files.
The highest level or point that something (like water, success, or achievement) has reached.
High-water mark is usually formal, sometimes journalistic/academic. in register.
High-water mark: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈwɔːtə ˌmɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈwɔːt̬ər ˌmɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The high tide of something.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a wooden post by a river with a line showing where the floodwater reached. That line is the literal 'high-water mark.' Now imagine your biggest success – that's your personal high-water mark.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT/SUCCESS IS A FLOOD/TIDE (which reaches a high point).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'high-water mark' INCORRECTLY?