high-flown
[hahy-flohn]
adjective
extravagant in aims, pretensions, etc.
pretentiously lofty; bombastic: We couldn't endure his high-flown oratory.
Origin of high-flown
First recorded in 1640–50
Synonyms for high-flown
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for high-flown
bombastic, elaborate, exaggerated, extravagant, grandiloquent, grandiose, inflated, showy, turgidExamples from the Web for high-flown
Contemporary Examples of high-flown
Best line: “No amount of straining for high-flown uplift can disguise the fact that The Goldfinch is a turkey.”
The guy was a state senator from Illinois, not exactly a high-flown position.
Historical Examples of high-flown
He is discoursing in a high-flown vein, which may be compared to the 'dithyrambics of the Phaedrus.'
CratylusPlato
He returned a high-flown phrase of thanks in a bitter, absent whisper.
RomanceJoseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
Also, that whenever he killed a calf he made a high-flown speech over it.
Is Shakespeare Dead?Mark Twain
For the next two days Carrie indulged in the most high-flown speculations.
Sister CarrieTheodore Dreiser
These high-flown lectures and discussions have filled all their heads with nonsense.
The Daughters of DanausMona Caird
high-flown
adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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