Tall Meaning

UK /tɔːl/
US /tɔːl/
Word Definition
tall meaning

Tall Definition & Usage

adjective

Having a great height or being significantly taller than others or typical standards.

Examples

  • "She is so tall that she can easily reach the top shelf without a ladder."
  • "The tall trees in the forest provide shade on the hottest days."
  • "He felt self-conscious at the party, surrounded by shorter people."
  • "The tall man in the suit walked into the room and immediately caught everyone's attention."
  • "The giraffes in the zoo are known for their exceptionally tall necks."
adjective

Describing a structure, such as a building or tower, that extends high above the ground.

Examples

  • "The city is famous for its tall skyscrapers that dominate the skyline."
  • "A tall bridge connected the two cities across the river."
  • "They built a tall fence around the property to ensure privacy."
  • "The tall spire of the cathedral can be seen from miles around."
  • "The tall lighthouse guided ships safely through the stormy waters."
adjective

Referring to something that is exaggerated or presented in an exaggerated or ambitious way.

Examples

  • "The tall tales he told about his childhood were both amusing and unbelievable."
  • "She had a tall order to fill when asked to organize the event in just a few days."
  • "His promises about the project were tall, but few expected him to follow through."
  • "The tall claims about the new product's effectiveness were met with skepticism."
  • "She made a tall prediction about the stock market, but it turned out to be accurate."

Cultural Context

The word 'tall' comes from the Old English word 'tallian,' which originally meant 'lofty' or 'high.' Over time, it has been used to describe physical height as well as figurative measures of grandeur or ambition. In modern usage, it is widely applied to describe people, animals, objects, and even claims that are unusually high or impressive in stature or scope.

The Tall Order

Story

The Tall Order

In a small village nestled between the hills, there lived a young architect named Theo. Theo had always dreamed of designing the tallest building the world had ever seen. He had grown up listening to tales of towering structures in faraway cities and often imagined how the skyline might look if his design were part of it. One day, an opportunity arose. A wealthy businessman, Mr. Hardy, approached Theo with a proposition to create a grand building in the center of the village. 'I want a structure that is as tall as the tallest tree in the forest, something that will catch the eye of anyone who passes by,' said Mr. Hardy, his eyes gleaming with ambition. Theo, determined to make his mark, accepted the challenge. But as the project unfolded, he realized that the task was far more complex than he had anticipated. The foundation had to be deeper, the materials stronger, and the design taller than anything he had ever worked on before. There were moments of doubt, as Theo questioned whether he could meet the high expectations. His team, too, had doubts. 'This is a tall order, Theo,' said his assistant, Maria. 'We're pushing the limits of what's possible.' But Theo remained focused, driven by the vision of creating something truly remarkable. As the building rose, so did the village's excitement. People marveled at its height, its sleek design, and the way it seemed to pierce the sky. On the day of the grand opening, Theo stood at the base, looking up at his creation. It was taller than anything he'd ever imagined. It was a symbol of his ambition, a representation of his journey from a small-town dreamer to a renowned architect. As the crowd celebrated, Theo smiled and thought to himself, 'A tall tale indeed, but one that came true.'

The Tall Order