high-minded

adjective

Given to idealism.

Meanings

adjectivehigh-minded (comparative more high-minded, superlative most high-minded)

comparative more high-minded · superlative most high-minded

  1. Given to idealism.

    Walter was the ideal—generous, high-minded, clear in perception; but sensitive, even weak, in action; or, rather, too apt to imagine a world full of lofty aims and noble impulses, and then fancying that was the world in which he had to live.

    1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Author and the Actress”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 106
  2. Refined, cultured, particularly civilized.

    After the pause for much more self-deprecating laughter and with everyone listening, Salmond rounded off his story on a high-minded note. The hospital near that village is also powered by the same hydro project, he told them.

    2014 September 8, Michael White, “Roll up, roll up! The Amazing Salmond will show a Scotland you won't believe”, in The Guardian

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveof high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Bulgarian благоро́ден
  • благоро́ден (blagoróden)refined, cultured, particularly civilized
Irish mórintinneach
  • mórintinneachrefined, cultured, particularly civilized
Scottish Gaelic inntinneach
  • inntinneachrefined, cultured, particularly civilized
Cite this entry
APA

high-minded. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/high-minded

MLA

“high-minded.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/high-minded. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “high-minded,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/high-minded.

Source: high-minded on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.