What does tallish mean?
Tallish is an informal adjective meaning somewhat tall, or taller than average without being especially tall. It is useful when a speaker wants to describe height approximately rather than commit to a precise measurement or a strong comparison. The word can describe people, animals, buildings, plants, or objects, and it is also used figuratively in phrases such as “a tallish order,” meaning a substantial or unusually demanding request. Because it is formed with the suffix “-ish,” tallish softens the force of “tall” and conveys a degree between ordinary and conspicuous height. Its use is common in everyday British and American English, although it is less formal than saying “somewhat tall” or “fairly tall.”
adjectiveSomewhat tall; fairly or slightly tall in height.
- Somewhat tall; fairly or slightly tall in height.
"The tallish man beside her was almost certainly her brother."
"The building is tallish, but it is not the highest one on the street."
"She asked for a tallish drink, enough to last through the afternoon."
The ending “-ish” softens a description: tallish means not simply tall, but somewhere between ordinary height and strikingly tall.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of tallish
The word is formed from the adjective tall with the productive English suffix “-ish,” a suffix that creates adjectives indicating a moderate or approximate degree. “Tall” comes through Middle English from a Germanic root related to words meaning high or elevated. The same English suffix appears in many descriptive adjectives, including “reddish,” “youngish,” and “blackish,” though it does not necessarily imply that the qualities are exact opposites of the base words.
How tallish is actually used
Informal and descriptive. It is often used when an exact measurement is unnecessary or when the speaker wants to avoid making a strong comparison.
Easily confused with tallish
“Tall” describes a person or thing that is considerably or markedly in height, whereas “tallish” suggests only that it is somewhat tall.
“Tallish” is a height description, while “tawny” refers to a brownish-yellow colour.