hochgewachsene

Hochgewachsene is a German adjective describing someone or something that has grown tall, typically referring to a person with above-average height and well-proportioned stature. The term is most commonly used in descriptive writing about people, but it can also appear in neutral descriptions of plants or other growth where height is notable.

Etymology and grammar: The word is formed from hoch (high/tall) and wachsen (to grow). As an adjective it follows standard German inflection: masculine singular—ein hochgewachsener Mann; feminine singular—eine hochgewachsene Frau; neuter singular—ein hochgewachsenes Kind; plural—hochwgewachsene Menschen or die hochgewachsenen Menschen with a definite article. When used as a noun, the plural is Die Hochgewachsenen, referring collectively to tall people; this nominalized use is stylistic and relatively formal.

Usage and nuance: Hochgewachsene conveys more than mere height; it implies a mature, well-proportioned growth and is often neutral or descriptive in tone. It can carry positive connotations of presence or stature, but like many descriptive terms, its nuance depends on context and phrasing. In everyday language, synonyms such as großgewachsen or tall are common, though hochgewachsene adds a slightly literary or precise flavor.

Cultural and stylistic notes: The term appears mainly in descriptive prose, biographies, memoirs, or literary character sketches. It is less typical in technical or demographic writing, where more standardized terms for height or build are preferred.

See also: großgewachsen; hochwachsen; tallness in German.