elevated

American  

[el-uh-vey-tid] / ˈɛl əˌveɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. raised up, especially above the ground or above the normal level.

   an elevated platform; an elevated pulse.

2. exalted or noble; lofty.

   elevated thoughts.

3. elated; joyful.

---

noun

1. an elevated railroad.

elevated British  

/ ˈɛlɪˌveɪtɪd /

adjective

1. raised to or being at a higher level

2. inflated or lofty; exalted

   an elevated opinion of oneself

3. in a cheerful mood; elated

4. informal slightly drunk

---

noun

1. short for elevated railway See elevated railway

Other Word Forms

• semielevated adjective
• unelevated adjective
• well-elevated adjective

Etymology

Origin of elevated

First recorded in 1545–55; elevate + -ed ²

Explanation

Something that's elevated is raised up higher than it usually is, or is higher than things around it. An elevated train line has tracks up high above the ground. If your house is elevated on a hill, it won't be in danger of flooding, but it'll be hard to drive up the driveway on snowy days. As well as being physically elevated, things can also be figuratively elevated: your elevated social status might make you feel superior to your friends, and your favorite soccer team might hold an elevated position in the league after winning several games. In both cases, something has a higher value than it once did.

Example Sentences

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s first-quarter results were announced Thursday, its beat and raise surpassing already elevated expectations, and confirming, above all else, that momentum in the chip spending cycle is very much intact.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Benchmark U.S. crude futures fell 7.9% Tuesday to close at $91.28 a barrel—down roughly 20% from last week’s highs, but still elevated by historic standards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

A day earlier, Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock to Sell from Neutral, citing elevated expectations and challenging valuation.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

But it remains elevated - in 2023-24, the figure was 115.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Meanwhile, the first wave that the patrolman had seen continued heading directly for the elevated line.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• exalted
• inflated