highflying

or high-fly·ing

[ hahy-flahy-ing ]

adjective

1. moving upward to or along at a considerable height:

   highflying planes.

2. extravagant or extreme in aims, opinions, etc.; unduly lofty:

   highflying ideas about life.

3. having a high cost or perceived value:

   the highflying glamour stocks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of highflying¹

First recorded in 1575–85; high + flying

Example Sentences

At the heart of the multibillion-dollar crisis are two highflying bankers who some say took the country for a ride.

From The Daily Beast

Thenceforward for nineteen years a more highflying Tory than Mr. Peel was not to be found within the walls of parliament.

From Project Gutenberg

The Marshal de Broglio was appointed to their command, a highflying aristocrat, cool and capable of every thing.

From Project Gutenberg

We find in the side-notes such expressions as these—'highflying notions,' 'this ranter.'

From Project Gutenberg