1.
on the high side; rather high; slightly elevated
Indicates that something is somewhat higher than average or expected, without being extremely high. Used for prices, temperatures, numbers, and other measurable quantities.
値段は高めだ。
The price is on the high side.
今日の気温は平年より高めです。
Today's temperature is a bit higher than average.
このレストランは少し高めだけど、味は間違いないから、特別な日にはおすすめだ。
This restaurant is a bit pricey, but the food is excellent, so I recommend it for special occasions.
USAGE NOTES:
高め is formed from the adjective 高い + the suffix め, which softens the degree to mean "somewhat" or "on the ... side." This め pattern is productive in Japanese:
- 低め (on the low side)
- 大きめ (on the large side)
- 少なめ (on the fewer side)
- 早め (on the early side)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 値段が高め (price is on the high side)
- 温度を高めに設定する (set the temperature a bit high)
- 血圧が高め (blood pressure is a bit high)
Can be used as a na-adjective (高めな値段) or with に as an adverb (高めに設定する).