tall versus high

Question

Should I use tall for towers? This tower is taller than that tower.
Should I use higher for mountains? This mountain is higher than that mountain.
Just a bit confused as I saw on wikipedia " the tallest mountain". What is the difference in meaning? Taller versus Higher. Thanks Fulvio

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

See the description here: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/high

(I have copied it below.)

high– tall

1. 'high'
You use high to describe things which measure a larger distance than usual from the bottom to the top. For example, you talk about a high hill or a high fence.

...the high mountains of northern Japan.

...the high walls of the prison.

2. 'tall'
You use tall to describe things which are higher than usual, but which are also much higher than they are wide. So, for example, you talk about a tall tree or a tall chimney.

Insects buzzed in the tall grass.

We saw several birds, including a tall heron standing on one leg.

You always use tall when you are talking about people.

Andreas was a tall handsome man.

She was a young woman, fairly tall and slim.

3. another meaning of 'high'
High also means 'a long way above the ground'. For example, you talk about a high window or a high shelf.

It was a large room with a high ceiling.

tall versus high

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