Phrase guide

high concept

adj · noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌhaɪ ˈkɒnsɛpt/
  • General-American: /ˌhaɪ ˈkɑnˌsɛpt/
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Alternative form of high-concept.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

Topics: broadcasting, film, literature, media, publishing, television

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An appealing and easily communicable idea for a work (such as a book, film, or television programme).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: broadcasting, film, literature, media, publishing, television

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: low concept

3

noun

Meaning 3

A style of work (such as a book, film, or television programme) characterized by appealing and easily communicable ideas.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: broadcasting, film, literature, media, publishing, television

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: low concept

4

noun

Meaning 4

The overarching idea or theme of a work, particularly one perceived as highly artistic or intellectual.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: proscribed, sometimes

Topics: broadcasting, film, literature, media, publishing, television

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

PIE word *ḱóm From high (adjective) + concept (noun), variously attributed to the American media executives Barry Diller (born 1942) when he was working at the American Broadcasting Company in the 1970s, or Michael Eisner (born 1942) during his term as president of Paramount Pictures from 1976 to 1984.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 高概念 (gāogàiniàn) — appealing and easily communicable idea for a work
  • Finnish: korkea konsepti — appealing and easily communicable idea for a work
  • Finnish: high concept — appealing and easily communicable idea for a work
  • Finnish: korkea konsepti — style of work characterized by appealing and easily commmunicable ideas
  • Finnish: high concept — style of work characterized by appealing and easily commmunicable ideas
  • Finnish: hienostunut aihe — overarching idea or theme of a work, particularly one perceived as highly artistic or intellectual