What does highjacked mean?
Highjacked is the past tense and past participle of highjack, itself a chiefly British spelling variant of the more standard word hijack. It describes the forceful seizure of a vehicle or its control, as when criminals take over an aircraft, ship, train, or car and direct it elsewhere. The term can also be used figuratively for commandeering broadcasts, communications, or other systems. Although highjacked is readily understood, it is not normally preferred in formal written English, where hijacked is the conventional spelling. The form arose by adding the standard past-tense and past-participle ending -ed to highjack. It carries an unmistakable association with criminal coercion and immediate physical danger, although writers sometimes apply it metaphorically to unauthorized control of broadcasts or online content. Recognizing both spellings is useful when reading British material and informal writing.
verbThe past tense and past participle of highjack, a nonstandard spelling of hijack. It means to seize or take control of a vehicle, especially by force.
- To seize or take control of a vehicle or other property forcibly, especially in order to use it for transportation.
"Armed men highjacked the train and ordered the driver to change course."
"The criminals highjacked the plane and demanded that it land at a remote airport."
"Officials said the weapons had been highjacked from an armoured vehicle during the attack."
Highjacked may sound like a different word, but it is simply the less-standard spelling of hijacked.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does highjacked come from?
Highjacked is formed by adding the regular English ending -ed to highjack, a spelling variant of hijack. The competing spellings highjack and hijack have both been used in English, with hijack becoming the standard form. The precise origin of hijack has been debated, so the safest account is that it is a historical spelling variant rather than a word with a separate modern meaning.
Related word forms
How highjacked is actually used
Highjacked is a chiefly British variant spelling and is generally considered informal or nonstandard. Hijacked is preferred in formal standard English.
Easily confused with highjacked
Hijacked is the standard spelling, whereas highjacked is a chiefly British spelling variant with the same meaning.