höher

höher is the comparative form of the German adjective hoch, meaning higher or more high. It is used to compare heights or levels, as well as to indicate a greater degree or extent in a non-physical sense. For example, der Turm ist höher als die Kirche (the tower is higher than the church) or eine höhere Priorität (a higher priority).

Etymology and form: The comparative hoch becomes höler in some forms, but standard German spellings for the comparative use hö- with umlaut: höher. The umlaut reflects a common historical vowel change in German comparatives. The superlative is am höchsten (the highest). In usage, höher can function as an adjective or as an adverb in comparisons like höher als (higher than). When used attributively before a noun, higher forms take inflected endings: ein höherer Berg (a higher mountain), eine höhere Qualität (a higher quality), der höhere Turm (the higher tower). In predicative position or as an adverb, it remains simply höher (Der Turm ist höher; Der Turm ist höher als der Dom).

Usage notes: Höher is widely used in physical contexts (height of buildings or mountains) and in abstract contexts (higher standards, higher levels). It contrasts with niedriger, the comparative form of niedrig (lower). The word also appears in surnames and place names in German-speaking regions, where it inherits the same root meaning related to height or elevation.

See also: hoch, höhen, höchst, höchste.