higher

British  

/ ˈhaɪə /

adjective

1. the comparative of high

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noun

1. 1. the advanced level of the Scottish Certificate of Education

   2. ( as modifier )

      Higher Latin

2. a pass in a particular subject at Higher level

   she has four Highers

Explanation

When something is described as higher, it's more advanced, difficult, or complex. Higher education is what you learn in college or graduate school, and it's more complicated than high school. You're most likely to see the adjective higher being used to specify a type of education or schooling. Higher finance is likewise an area of banking or investing that's extremely complex because it involves enormous amounts of money. In Scotland, a Higher is a specific, high-level graduation certificate that qualifies students to enter a university.

Example Sentences

Pricier fuel has put pressure on bus operators’ profits this year, but the higher costs aren’t always passed onto travelers via higher fares.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

"We are retreating from the gains we made in promoting higher education as one of our most influential and profitable forms of soft power," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

Among the reasons are climate change, as higher temperatures and increased runoff are combining to increase the amount and types of carbon compounds that move from soil and land into bodies of water.

From Science Daily • Jun. 21, 2026

The economy has been surprisingly resilient, even with higher borrowing costs in the background.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 21, 2026

‘I don’t understand,’ Hannie said, frustration making her voice louder and higher.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler