high school
high school
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "high school" is /ˈhaɪ skuːl/.
High /haɪ/
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/aɪ/ - diphthong (as in "my")
School /skuːl/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar sibilant
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/uː/ - close back rounded vowel (as in "moon")
/l/ - alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular: high school
Plural: high schools
Adjective (attributive): high school (e.g., "high school student")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
An educational institution for children in the age range of approximately 14 to 18, typically following middle school or junior high and preceding college or university. It is where students receive secondary education.
Synonyms: secondary school, academy (archaic or specific context), grammar school (British English, historical), lyceum (archaic or specific context)
Antonyms: elementary school, primary school, middle school, junior high, university, college
Adjective
Of or pertaining to a high school; characteristic of the period of life during which one attends high school.
Synonyms: secondary, adolescent (when referring to the students or period), scholastic (in some contexts)
Antonyms: primary, collegiate, postgraduate, professional
Examples of Use
Books:
"When I was a kid, I used to think, 'Wow, these are people whose entire existence is high school.' Like, 'I will never be that person. I will go on and do great things.'" (Michelle Obama, Becoming, November 2018)
"In my senior year of high school, I ended up taking a drama class, and I just fell in love with it." (Viola Davis, Finding Me, April 2022)
Newspapers:
"Local high school prepares for record-breaking graduation class." (The Daily Herald, May 2024)
"Enrollment in vocational programs at area high schools sees significant increase." (The New York Times, February 2024)
Online Publications:
"What it's really like to be a high school teacher in the era of AI." (EdSurge, March 2024)
"Many high school students are opting for gap years before college." (Forbes.com, August 2023)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "This movie perfectly captures the angst and excitement of high school life." (Lady Bird, September 2017)
Television: "The new series follows a group of friends navigating the challenges of their final year of high school." (Never Have I Ever, Netflix, April 2020)
Music: "We spent our summers driving around, just like in a high school movie." (Taylor Swift, "Fifteen," Fearless, November 2008)
Podcasts: "Our guest today shares her memories of playing basketball in high school and how it shaped her career." (The Daily, The New York Times, June 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"My son is starting high school next year, and I'm already nervous about all the changes." (Overheard conversation, May 2024)
"Remember that time in high school when we all thought we knew everything?" (Social media post, July 2024)
"The local community center is hosting a workshop for high schoolers on college application strategies." (Community bulletin board, April 2024)
10 Quotes Using High school
"True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country." (Kurt Vonnegut)
"What I remember most about high school are the memories I created with my friends." (J. J. Watt)
"I always hated high-school shows and high-school movies, because they were always about the cool kids." (Paul Feig)
"Being famous is just like being in high school." (Courtney Love)
"My dad was a high school and college coach, and in my house my dad muted sideline reporters because he wasn't interested in what they had to say." (Samantha Ponder)
"When I was a model—and I was all during high school and college—you always wanted to be on the cover of a magazine." (Martha Stewart)
"I was never pretty enough to be the pretty girl and I was never quirky enough to be the quirky girl. Boys didn't look at me in high school and think I was the pretty girl." (Lea Michele)
"In my senior year of high school, I ended up taking a drama class, and I just fell in love with it." (Viola Davis)
"When I was a kid, I used to think, 'Wow, these are people whose entire existence is high school.' Like, 'I will never be that person. I will go on and do great things.'" (Michelle Obama)
"High school isn't a very important place. When you're going you think it's a big deal, but when it's over nobody really thinks it was great unless they're beered up." (Stephen King)
Etymology
The term "high school" essentially means a "higher school" or a "school for higher education." It's a combination of the word "high" (meaning advanced or elevated) and "school."
The earliest known use of the term can be traced back to the Middle English period, specifically around 1417. At that time, in places like Scotland, a "high school" referred to a school that provided a more advanced or "higher" level of education than the basic, primary schooling. These institutions were often designed to prepare students for university or for certain professions, rather than just basic literacy.
So, it wasn't always about the specific age range of teenagers we associate with "high school" today, but rather about the level of education being offered – a step up from fundamental learning.
Phrases + Idioms Containing High school
High school sweethearts: Two people who were romantically involved during their high school years and often continue their relationship afterward.
High school reunion: An event where former students of a high school gather, typically many years after graduation, to socialize and reminisce.
Back in high school: A common opening phrase for recalling a memory or experience from one's teenage years spent in high school.
High school diploma: The certification awarded to a student upon successful completion of their high school education.
High school musical: A term referring to a musical production put on by a high school, or more broadly, the genre of films and shows about high school life with musical elements.
The high school years: Refers to the period of adolescence when someone attends high school, typically characterized by significant personal growth and social development.
Like something out of a high school movie: Describes a situation or event that is stereotypical or dramatic, similar to plots often seen in films about high school.
Old school (using "school" as a synonym): Referring to something traditional, classic, or from an earlier era, often with a sense of nostalgia.
To learn the ropes (from school context): To learn the basic procedures or skills of a job or activity, often implying an initial period of instruction similar to early schooling.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of high school from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
