HIGH FLOWN Meaning and
Definition
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The term "high flown" is an adjective used to describe language, style, or ideas that are grandiose, elaborate, or pretentious in nature. It refers to expressions that are excessively extravagant, lofty, or pompous, often characterized by the excessive use of flowery metaphors and complex phrasing.
When one’s language or writing becomes "high flown," it tends to drift away from simplicity and clarity, instead favoring convoluted and melodramatic constructions. This can occur when someone uses an excessive amount of elaborate vocabulary, intricate sentence structures, or bombastic rhetoric, which may make their ideas seem out of touch with reality or exaggerated. Such language can be seen in grandiose speeches, verbose poetry, or pretentious prose.
The intent behind using "high flown" language may be to evoke feelings of grandeur and sophistication, or to attempt to impress or persuade others with the speaker or writer's superior intellect. However, its overuse can often alienate or confuse the audience, obscuring the intended message. It is important to note that "high flown" can be a subjective term, as what may seem excessively lofty or pretentious to one person may be seen as artistic or expressive by another.
In summary, "high flown" refers to the use of excessively extravagant and grandiose language, often characterized by flowery metaphors, complex phrasing, and bombastic rhetoric. It can create an air of verbosity and pretentiousness, potentially detracting from the clarity and impact of the message being conveyed.
Common Misspellings for HIGH FLOWN
- higg-flown
- high-flowen
- highflown
- high-flown
- highghflown
- highflowwn
- highflon
- highflowen
- highed flown
- hight flown
- hiegh flown
- hiegh flowne
- hight flawn
- high flawn
- highe flown
- higheflown
Etymology of HIGH FLOWN
The phrase "high flown" is believed to have originated in the late 16th century in England. Its etymology can be traced back to the Middle English word "flown", which means "swollen" or "inflated". This word is derived from the Old English word "flēogan", meaning "to fly" or "to soar".
The term "high flown" combines "high" to convey the sense of loftiness or grandeur and "flown" to suggest something exaggerated or extravagant. It often describes language, rhetoric, or ideas that are overly elaborate, pompous, or pretentious.
Similar spelling word for HIGH FLOWN
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