tall
UK: tɔːl | US: tɔːl
adj. of great or more than average height
adj. exaggerated or improbable (e.g., a tall tale)
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The word "tall" traces back to Old English getæl ("swift, ready, prompt"), later evolving to Middle English tal ("straight, upright"). By the 16th century, it shifted to its modern meaning of "high in stature." The earlier sense of "brave" or "bold" (seen in phrases like "tall knight") faded over time. Its Germanic roots connect to Dutch tael ("quick") and Old Norse tala ("to tell"), though the semantic link to height remains unique to English.
The tall building dominated the city skyline.
She is taller than her brother by five inches.
He told a tall story about catching a fish as big as a car.
The sunflower grew tall under the summer sun.
Basketball players need to be exceptionally tall.