# haute

/ˈhət/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/haute
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

high-class or very expensive. It usually describes things like fashion or cooking that are very high quality and follow a specific style.

For teachers: denoting high status, exclusivity, or superior quality, particularly in the realms of fashion and gastronomy. Borrowed from French, it is almost exclusively used in fixed phrases like 'haute couture' or 'haute cuisine'.

## Examples

- She only wears haute couture to red carpet events.
- The restaurant is famous for its haute cuisine, combining traditional techniques with modern presentation.
- While the designer's main line is accessible to the public, his haute couture collection remains a strictly bespoke service for a handful of elite clients worldwide.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun in specific French-derived loan phrases.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.