highness

high-ness · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A title of honor for royalty, typically used with "His," "Her," or "Your."

  2. 2.

    The quality or state of being high; elevation.

Forms

plural: highnesses

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    His/Her Royal Highness — formal title for princes and princesses
  • •
    His/Her Serene Highness — title used by some European royalty
  • •
    Your Highness — direct address to royalty

Related words

Antonyms: lowness
See also: majesty, prince, princess, royalty
Synonyms: elevation, eminence, majesty

Etymology

From Old English hēahnes ("loftiness, excellence"), from hēah ("high") + -nes (noun suffix). The royal title sense developed in Middle English.