Definition

A person who is very successful or ambitious, often in a particular field or profession.

Example

She is a highflyer in the corporate world, quickly rising through the ranks.

Conversation

Have you heard about Jake? He's become such a highflyer at work lately.

Yeah, I saw that! He got that big promotion, right?

Exactly! It's impressive how fast he's climbing the corporate ladder.

For sure! He’s always been a hard worker, so it’s great to see him succeed.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Highflyer is formed from "high" (from Old English "hēah", meaning elevated or tall) and "flyer" (from the verb "to fly", meaning to move through the air). The term describes someone who is ambitious or successful, soaring to great heights in their endeavors.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'elevated' ('high') and 'moving through the air' ('flyer') — this helps you remember that a highflyer is someone who achieves great success.

Visually Confused Words