1
a
: high in stature
b
: of a specified height
five feet tall
2
a
: of considerable height
tall trees
b
: long from bottom to top
a tall book
c
: of a higher growing variety or species of plant
3
a
: large or formidable in amount, extent, or degree
a tall order to fill
b
: pompous, high-flown
tall talk about the vast mysteries of lifeW. A. White
c
: highly exaggerated : incredible, improbable
a tall story
4
obsolete : brave, courageous
tall adverb
tallish adjective
tallness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for tall

high, tall, lofty mean above the average in height.

high implies marked extension upward and is applied chiefly to things which rise from a base or foundation or are placed at a conspicuous height above a lower level.

a high hill
a high ceiling

tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.

a tall thin man

lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

Examples of tall in a Sentence

All the children in my family grew up to be very tall. My mother is short but my father is fairly tall. The giraffe is the tallest animal. The drinks were served in tall glasses. She is five feet tall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The site is surrounded by the remnants of a tall grass prairie that once covered millions of acres of Minnesota and the West. John Diers, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, the Ciel Dubai Marina — set to become the world’s tallest hotel — is scheduled to open this year. Karla Cripps, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025 Ponies usually don't get any taller than 58 inches at the withers, while horses go well beyond that. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 Academy sources — who, like all those cited in this piece, spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their position — highlight Asencio’s impressive turn of pace and his aerial ability, despite not being the tallest defender at 6ft (184cm). Mario Cortegana, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tall 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tal, probably from Old English getæl quick, ready; akin to Old High German gizal quick

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of tall was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tall

Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tall. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

tall

adjective
1
a
: having unusually great height
b
: of a specified height
five feet tall
2
a
: large in amount, extent, or degree
a tall order to fill
b
: greatly exaggerated : improbable
a tall tale
tall adverb
tallness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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