highlife

American

[hahy-lahyf] / ˈhaɪˌlaɪf /

noun

an expensive, glamorous, or elegant style of living.

highlife British

/ ˈhaɪˌlaɪf /

noun

1. a style of music combining West African elements with US jazz forms, found esp in the cities of West Africa
2. ( as modifier )
  
  a highlife band

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of highlife

First recorded in 1755–65; high + life

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Highlife music, for me as a Ghanaian, it tells our story. It touches on every aspect of our society," she told AFP.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

Handkerchiefs wave again, laughter rises, and Highlife carries on -- rooted in the past, dancing confidently into the future.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

An eclectic lineup of DJs play a mix of Afro rock, Sudanese jazz, Highlife, Afrobeats and Ethio-jazz.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2024

She's one of the stars of Channel 4's Highlife, the first reality show focusing on young British West Africans.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2021

The day also features a special episode of Hollyoaks made by an all-black cast and core crew; Highlife, a new reality series following successful British Nigerians and Ghanaians; and late-night talk show Unapologetic.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2021

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023