High five Meaning and Definition
High five
Pronunciation
HAHF-faiv
Part of Speech
Phrasal Expression
Definition
An expression of excitement, celebration, or solidarity, where two people raise their hands and slap palms together, often accompanied by verbal expressions of joy or congratulation.
Examples
- After scoring a touchdown, the athlete threw a high five to his teammate.
- The crowd erupted in cheers and high fives when the concert began.
Synonyms
- Hooray
- Way to go
Antonyms
- Bad luck
- Sorry to hear that
Etymology
The phrase “high five” originated in the United States in the 1970s, combining the word “high” with the celebratory gesture of slapping hands.
Usage Notes
The high five is a versatile expression that can be used in a variety of contexts, from sports and celebrations to everyday conversations and office camaraderie.
When using the high five, be mindful of cultural and personal boundaries, as not everyone may be comfortable with the gesture.
Cultural References
The high five has appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and music videos, including “Airplane!” (1980), “The Karate Kid” (1984), and “Kung Fu Panda” (2008).
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The high five is often paired with other phrases, such as “touchdown” or “go team!” to amplify the celebratory atmosphere.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related to the high five include “hug,” “cheers,” and “wicked,” all of which convey positive emotions and sentiments.
Collocations
Common word combinations with the high five include “give someone a high five” or “share a high five with a friend.”
Frequency of Use
The high five has become a ubiquitous expression in modern language, commonly used in social media, text messages, and everyday conversations.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of the high five include “high fi,” “hi fi,” and “hight fi,” all of which lack the “five” suffix.