Higher vs hire

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Grammarist

Higher and hire are two words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will examine the differing definitions of higher and hire, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

Higher is an adjective that means farther above, something that extends farther above sea level. Higher is something that extends to a further degree. The word higher is the comparative of the word high. A comparative is a word that refers to a higher quality or degree of something when comparing two things. The word higher is derived from the Old English words hierra and hera.

Hire means to engage someone for employment and to pay him wages. Hire may also refer to engaging the use of equipment or space for a set fee. Hire may be used as a noun or a verb, related words are hires, hired, hiring, hirer, hirable. The word hire is derived from the Old English word hyr which means wages.

Examples

In theory, this would make out-of-pocket payments for affected patients low, with the financial burden of treatments reflected in slightly higher premiums for all. (The Harvard Business Review)

MU spokesman Christian Basi said university officials are still in the planning stages and discussing tuition with lawmakers, but that the university supports the legislature’s work in restoring funds to higher education. (The Columbia Missourian)

“I kind of like the fact that I can go higher and higher and like challenge myself to beat what I did before and be better,” Gabriela replied when asked what she likes most about pole vaulting. (The Florida Times-Union)

The city is advertising to hire its first communications coordinator, someone charged with delivering Bozeman’s communication needs, from making sure department messages are clear and consistent to announcing major changes and responding to the media. (The Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

A new demolition company focused on hiring 40 female heads of household and others struggling with addiction could start working on projects in the next few months, said Tay Waltenbaugh, director of Westmoreland Community Action. (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)