highball
highball Lexical Profile
highball Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A mixed alcoholic drink consisting of a spirit, especially whiskey, and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer such as club soda or ginger ale, served over ice in a tall glass.
"The bartender poured rye whiskey over ice and topped the glass with ginger ale to make a classic highball."
A tall, straight-sided glass tumbler used for serving mixed drinks over ice.
"She arranged a row of crystal highballs on the tray before the guests arrived."
North American A railroad signal, originally a ball raised high on a post, indicating that a train may proceed at full speed.
"Once the stationmaster gave the highball, the freight locomotive gathered steam and rolled down the main line."
• verb
North American To make or propose an artificially high price, estimate, or valuation during a negotiation.
"The contractor highballed the renovation estimate because his crew was already booked for the season."
North American To travel or move at full speed (especially of a train or highway vehicle).
"The express train highballed through the small rural depot without slowing down."
• Rhymes for highball
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th-century United States, combining 'high' and 'ball'. In railroad terminology, it originally referred to a ball hoisted high on a pole or frame to signal that the track ahead was clear, while the drink sense likely derives from 'ball' (19th-century slang for a glass of whiskey) served in a tall glass.