# soar

/ˈsɔɹ/ (US) · /sˈɔː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/soar
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to fly high

verb · CEFR B2

to fly high in the air using the wind, without moving your wings much.

For teachers: to fly or glide at a great height while maintaining altitude by using rising air currents.

- The eagle began to soar high above the mountains, looking for food.
- The hawk continued to soar effortlessly on the thermals, circling the valley for nearly an hour without a single wingbeat.

Usage: Intransitive; often followed by prepositions like 'above' or 'over'.

### 2. to increase rapidly

verb · CEFR B2

to rise very quickly to a high level, especially for prices or temperatures.

For teachers: to increase rapidly and significantly above the usual or expected level.

- Temperatures are expected to soar to forty degrees this weekend.
- Stock prices began to soar immediately after the merger was announced, reaching record highs by the end of the trading day.

Usage: Commonly used with subjects like 'prices', 'temperatures', 'costs', or 'unemployment'.

### 3. spirits or feelings

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to feel very happy, hopeful, or excited.

For teachers: to rise to a high emotional or spiritual state; to be inspired or exalted.

- Her spirits began to soar when she heard the good news.
- The composer's imagination seemed to soar as he worked on the final movement of the symphony.

Teaching tip: This figurative use is more common in literature or formal storytelling than in daily conversation.

### 4. upward flight

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

the act of flying high or rising upward.

For teachers: the act or instance of soaring; an upward flight or ascent.

- The bird's sudden soar into the clouds was beautiful to watch.
- With one powerful soar, the glider reached the crest of the ridge and disappeared from view.

## Examples

- The eagle began to soar high above the mountains.
- Stock prices began to soar after the company announced its record-breaking quarterly profits.
- As the thermal currents rose from the valley floor, the gliders were able to soar effortlessly for hours without using their engines.

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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.