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.

---

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

---

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

After a moment of bewilderment, Cowell shouted "surprise" and proceeded to high-five the boys.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

One cut, he said, was caused when his attorney general Pam Bondi hit the back of his hand with her ring while giving him a high-five.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

Efan Williams – known on stage as Efan Electro – shared a high-five, a hug and a chat with the chart-topping star backstage at Kendal Calling in the Lake District this summer.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

Some fans tumbled out of the bleachers as Ripken leaped to high-five them.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Problemo The girls let down their ponytails, high-five their coach, then walk over to shake our sweaty palms after beating us five to three.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander

Related Words

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