What does highboy mean?
A highboy is a chest of drawers set on tall legs, a form of furniture especially associated with traditional and antique interiors. The name distinguishes it from a lowboy and also overlaps with the related term tallboy. Its elevated construction gives it a formal, elegant appearance, while its drawers provide practical storage. Highboys may be made from walnut, mahogany, maple, or other fine hardwoods and can feature contrasting veneers, carved details, or brass handles. In American furniture terminology, highboy commonly refers specifically to a chest raised on legs, while tallboy can describe the tall case itself. The word is now encountered most often in auction listings, museums, interior design, and the study of period furniture rather than in descriptions of ordinary modern furniture. It remains useful because it identifies a recognizable form that broadly related terms such as dresser, bureau, or chest of drawers do not convey with the same precision.
nounA chest of drawers raised on tall legs. The term is also sometimes used for a tallboy, a tall case of drawers or shelves.
- A chest of drawers supported on tall legs, especially a tall antique example.
"A walnut highboy with brass handles stood against the dining-room wall."
"The auction catalogue described a Georgian mahogany highboy with a central drawer and swan-neck handles."
"She placed a small vase of flowers on top of the polished highboy."
The standard plural is highboys.
"Two highboys stood on either side of the marble fireplace."
A highboy is essentially a chest of drawers on legs: part storage cabinet, part architectural statement.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of highboy
Highboy is an American compound formed from high and boy, reflecting the elevated form of the furniture. It is closely related in meaning to tallboy, another term long used for tall case furniture. The two names became especially common in the vocabulary of British and American furniture description, with highboy more characteristic of American usage.
How highboy is actually used
Highboy is chiefly an American furniture term and is often used when discussing antique or traditional furniture. In British usage, tallboy is more common. The related word lowboy denotes a lower chest or table with drawers.
Easily confused with highboy
A highboy usually refers specifically to a chest of drawers raised on legs, whereas tallboy more generally denotes a tall case of drawers or shelves.