high-flown Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite pretentious (especially with regard to language or ideals)
    inflated; high-sounding.
    • high-flown talk of preserving the moral tone of the school
    • a high-sounding dissertation on the means to attain social revolution
  2. adjective satellite of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
    idealistic; exalted; noble-minded; elevated; rarefied; rarified; grand; high-minded; sublime; lofty.
    • an exalted ideal
    • argue in terms of high-flown ideals"- Oliver Franks
    • a noble and lofty concept
    • a grand purpose

WordNet


High"-flown` adjective
Definitions
  1. Elevated; proud. "High-flown hopes." Denham.
  2. Turgid; extravagant; bombastic; inflated; as, high-flown language. M. Arnold.

Webster 1913