high-five

American  

[hahy-fahyv] / ˈhaɪˈfaɪv /

Or high five

noun

1. a gesture of congratulation, solidarity, or greeting in which one person slaps the upraised palm of the hand against that of another.

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verb (used with object)

1. to congratulate, express solidarity with, or greet (a person) with a high-five.

   I'm such a couch potato that I'd love to high-five the genius who invented remote controls.

verb (used without object)

1. to exchange high-fives.

   After pulling out a win, the players noisily high-fived before leaving the court.

high-five British  

noun

1. a gesture of greeting or congratulation in which two people slap raised right palms together

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verb

1. to greet or congratulate (a person) in this way

Etymology

Origin of high-five

First recorded in 1975–80 ( five in reference to the five fingers of the hand)

Example Sentences

These days, she high-fives herself for successfully filing business taxes on her own and she has become a regular at Katsu-Jin, a Tonkatsu spot in South Pasadena.

From Los Angeles Times

After the game ended with the Lakers stunning overtime victory, fans lined up to give him high-fives and cheer for him as his family descended a stairway.

From Los Angeles Times

“I walk into meetings now, and I’ll get high-fives from the most wealthy people in the world,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

You see, a normal National Geographic film would celebrate with fist bumps and high-fives and tears.

From The Wall Street Journal

We high-five at the top and start jogging back toward home.

From Literature

Related Words

• accost
• acknowledge
• address
• approach
• attend
• embrace
• hail
• meet
• receive
• salute
• shake hands
• stop