high-flown meaning and definition

HIGH-FLOWN adjective

Definition of high-flown (adjective)

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