high tea

American  

noun

British.

1. a late afternoon or early evening meal similar to a light supper.

---

high tea British  

noun

1. See tea

---

Etymology

Origin of high tea

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

"I've taken Bear for a fancy high tea - he had his own one," she laughed.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

For my birthday, I just did an afternoon high tea at the Peninsula.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2025

And second, whatever you do, please don’t mistake your tea for high tea!

From Salon • Jan. 6, 2024

And look for a burst of new interest in animal-free cheese, potato milk, moringa, Taiwanese breakfast dishes, high tea and olives.

From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2021

Alisha was ready to throw in the towel, but Bonnie wanted to go for high tea at the Plaza Hotel.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris