altus
[ˈaɫ.tʊs]
In Latin, 'tall' is most commonly expressed as altus. Wiktionary also lists prōcērus.
Meaning: of a person (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| altus | [ˈaɫ.tʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈal.tus] (narrow) |
| prōcērus |
The word altus is used to describe a person's height, but it is also the standard term for 'high' when referring to altitude or abstract concepts such as social rank.
Which one should you use?
While altus is the most common word for both 'tall' and 'high', prōcērus is a more literary term used to mean 'tall' or 'lofty'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective altus must agree in gender with the person or noun being described: use altus for a masculine noun, alta for a feminine noun and altum for a neuter noun.
Did you know?
- In Latin, the word for 'tall' also describes 'deep'. For example, altum is used to describe the deep sea.
- The word altus is actually the perfect passive participle of the verb alō, meaning 'to nourish'.
- The Latin word altus is related to the word alumnus, as both stem from the idea of being nourished or grown.
Examples in context
- Thómás altus et bellus est.Tom is tall and handsome.This sentence uses altus to describe a man's physical appearance.Tatoeba #9050585 by jimkillock, translation #2644887 by CK
- Alter est altus, alter parvus.One is tall and the other is short.This sentence uses altus to contrast a tall person with a small one.Tatoeba #1010011 by alexmarcelo, translation #27204 by CK
- Quam altus fraterculus tuus est?How tall is your little brother?This sentence uses altus to ask about the height of a person.Tatoeba #8932828 by alexmarcelo, translation #2745839 by russell359
- Vir grandis estThe man is tall
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Lucia are talking about a new classmate.
- LuciusVidistine novum discipulum?Did you see the new student?
- LuciaIta, ille puer valde altus est.Yes, that boy is very tall.
- LuciusIta, et athleta esse videtur.Yes, and he seems to be an athlete.
- LuciaCertē, altus est et validus.Certainly, he is tall and strong.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tall” translations and entries altus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries altus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
