high-tech

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "high-tech" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe advanced technology or innovative products. An example is: "The company specializes in high-tech solutions for businesses." Alternative expressions include "advanced technology" and "cutting-edge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Some are high-tech".

The New York Times

Its theme: high-tech.

The New York Times

We've got high-tech.

The New York Times - Sports

It's very high-tech".

The New York Times

High-Tech Dept.

The New Yorker

High-tech industries need workers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Materials are high tech.

The New York Times

"It's not high tech.

The New York Times - Tech

and it's not high tech.

The New York Times

"High tech is spreading.

The New York Times

This is particularly true in high tech.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While it is primarily used as an adjective, it can occasionally function as a mass noun in business contexts to refer to the industry as a whole.

Common error

Avoid leaving a space between 'high' and 'tech' when describing a noun. Writing 'high tech industries' without the hyphen is a common stylistic inconsistency that can reduce readability in professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The term "high-tech" primarily functions as a compound adjective. According to Ludwig AI data, it is used to qualify nouns by indicating they involve advanced electronics or innovative digital systems. It frequently appears in attributive positions (before a noun), though it can also be used predicatively (after a linking verb).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "high-tech" is an essential adjective in modern English for describing technological advancement. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is exceptionally common in high-quality journalism and business reporting. The most important rule for writers is to maintain the hyphenated form when the term acts as a modifier. While synonyms like "cutting-edge" or "state-of-the-art" offer stylistic variety, "high-tech" remains the most direct and widely recognized term for describing the digital and electronic frontier. Whether you are writing for The New York Times or a technical blog, using this phrase ensures your meaning is clear and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hi-tech

Uses an informal spelling variant often seen in British English or casual contexts

high-technology

Employs the full, unshortened form of the adjective for a more formal tone

cutting-edge

Focuses on the pioneering or newest nature of the technology rather than just its complexity

state-of-the-art

Implies the highest level of development at the current time

advanced

Provides a broader adjective that lacks the specific focus on electronics or digital systems

technologically advanced

Adds a descriptive adverb to specify the field of advancement

leading-edge

Similar to cutting-edge but slightly more common in business and industrial sectors

sophisticated

Highlights complexity and refinement rather than just technical innovation

ultra-modern

Emphasizes the aesthetic and chronological aspects of being extremely current

tech-heavy

Suggests a high density or reliance on technology, often used in casual reviews

FAQs

How to use high-tech in a sentence?

You can use it to describe advanced machinery or systems, for example: 'The laboratory is equipped with "high-tech" diagnostic tools.' It often modifies nouns like 'industry', 'gadget' or 'solution'.

What can I say instead of high-tech?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "cutting-edge", "state-of-the-art" or "advanced technology".

Which is correct, high-tech or high tech?

The hyphenated version "high-tech" is the standard form used by most style guides when the term precedes a noun. Use 'high tech' (without the hyphen) only when it follows a verb, as in 'The system is very high tech'.

What is the difference between high-tech and hi-tech?

Both terms mean the same thing, but "hi-tech" is an informal spelling variant. "high-tech" is the preferred choice for journalism, academic writing and business reports.