all-time high

USAGE SUMMARY

"all-time high" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a record amount or level. For example, "The stock market reached an all-time high yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

solidarity has reached an all-time high.

The New York Times

Church attendance reached an all-time high.

The New York Times - Books

"Country is at an all-time high".

The New York Times

Illegitimacy is at an all-time high.

The Economist

That's an all-time high.

The Washington Post

"Stock Market at an all-time high.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Could gold blaze back to its all time high?

The Times

Standard & Poor's 500 -- All Time High: 1576.

HuffPost

Political incorrectness hit an all time high.

Huffington Post

Operating income averaged $84 million—an all-time high.

Forbes

Sarkozy's popularity hit an all-time high.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all-time high" to emphasize that a value is the highest it has ever been, compared to any point in the past. Ensure the context clearly defines the period being considered. For instance, "the stock market reached an "all-time high" in 2025".

Common error

Avoid using "all-time high" without clarifying the period under consideration. For example, saying "sales are at an "all-time high"" is vague; instead, specify "sales are at an "all-time high" for this quarter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all-time high" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It describes the noun as having reached its highest recorded value or level. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all-time high" is a compound adjective used to describe something that has reached its highest recorded level. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across a variety of contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. It is used to emphasize a record-breaking achievement, and while the tone is generally neutral, specifying the timeframe is key for avoiding ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "record level" or "peak value" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

record level

Replaces "all-time high" with a more generic term for a peak value.

peak value

Focuses on the concept of a maximum value attained.

highest level on record

More formal and emphatic version of "all-time high".

unprecedented level

Highlights the novelty and lack of prior occurrence of the level.

historic peak

Emphasizes the historical significance of the peak.

record peak

Combines the concepts of record and peak.

maximum on record

A more descriptive alternative that emphasizes the record.

zenith

Uses a more literary term for the highest point.

apex

Similar to "zenith", but slightly more common.

ultimate high

Emphasizes the finality or supremacy of the high point.

FAQs

How can I use "all-time high" in a sentence?

You can use "all-time high" to describe situations where a particular metric has reached its highest recorded level. For example, "The company's profits reached an "all-time high" this year."

What phrases can I use instead of "all-time high"?

You can use alternatives such as "record level", "peak value", or "highest level on record" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "all time high" instead of "all-time high"?

While "all time high" might be understood, "all-time high" is the correct and more widely accepted form. The hyphen connects the words, indicating that they function as a single adjective modifying a noun.

What does it mean when something is described as an "all-time high"?

It means that the value or level being discussed has reached its highest point ever recorded. It implies that the value is greater than any previous value in the known history of that metric.