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Synonyms

high school

American  

noun

high schools plural
  1. a school attended after elementary school or junior high school and usually consisting of grades 9 or 10 through 12.


high school British  

noun

  1. another term for grammar school

  2. a secondary school from grade 7 to grade 12

  3. a secondary school, the grades covered depending on the province

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of high school

First recorded in 1815–25

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In some ways, high school looks much the same as it did 20, even 100 years ago: sleepy eyes either light up or glaze over when a teacher poses a Socratic question.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

Starring charismatic newcomer Lexi Minetree, this formulaic prequel follows the blond protagonist as a high school student.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Yvonne Golomb, 70, said she’d done archery as a high school student in gym class.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

“Central Florida’s #1 Private Christian School” asks applicants to its now $28,370-a-year high school for reference letters from pastors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

Even girls who worked after high school, or the few I knew of who went to college, lived at home until they got married.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

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