highness
highness Lexical Profile
highness Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A formal title given to a person of royal rank, such as a prince or princess, or used in addressing them (usually capitalized and preceded by 'His', 'Her', 'Your', or 'Royal').
"The ambassador bowed respectfully and greeted Her Royal Highness upon her arrival at the palace."
The quality or state of being high in position, degree, amount, or pitch.
"Many prospective buyers were discouraged by the sheer highness of property prices in the city center."
Word Nuance & Usage
In royal protocol, 'Majesty' is reserved for reigning monarchs (kings and queens), whereas 'Highness' (often 'Royal Highness') is used for princes, princesses, and other members of a royal family.
• Rhymes for highness
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'heahnes', meaning 'loftiness' or 'elevation'. Its use as a formal title of honor for royalty emerged in Middle English during the 14th century, translating Medieval Latin 'altitudo'.