These words refer to things that in some way stand over or above their surroundings or above similar things, either in a literal or a figurative sense. Highest is the most general word. It may mean located at the greatest elevation: the highest story of a building; the highest peak in the mountain range. Highest also refers to something of the greatest importance: the highest law of the land; the highest good. In reference to degree, amount or size, highest is frequently used.

• We pay the highest prices for old gold; The tide is highest at eleven o’clock. The highest December temperature ever recorded; We have the highest regard for his opinions.

The other words in this group emphasize one or more of the meanings of highest . Supreme is applied especially to persons or things that are not only highest in rank, quality or importance, but are also considered unequalled: the Supreme Court; Zeus, the supreme deity of the ancient Greeks.

• The supreme moment of a gambler’s life is when he breaks the bank at Monte Carlo.

Topmost may refer to a person who has the highest position in a specific situation: the topmost executive of the company. But it is more likely to be applied to something located at the greatest elevation; the topmost shelf of a built-in cupboard; the topmost twigs of a tree.

Uppermost is often used interchangeably with topmost , but it tends to be used more often to describe people or things which have the highest and most important position or which receive the greatest amount of attention: the uppermost faction in a political party; those thoughts which are uppermost in his mind.