Highboy: meaning, definitions and examples
🛏️
highboy
[ haɪbɔɪ ]
furniture design
A highboy is a type of tall chest of drawers, typically featuring a series of drawers stacked one on top of the other, often with a cabinet-like top section that may have doors. The design dates back to the late 17th century and became particularly popular in colonial America. Highboys are usually constructed from hardwoods and may exhibit ornate carvings and decorative elements. They serve not only as functional storage pieces but also as statement furniture in a room.
Synonyms
chest of drawers, dresser, tallboy.
Examples of usage
- The antique store had a stunning highboy with intricate carvings.
- She inherited a beautiful highboy from her grandmother, which is now in her living room.
- Highboys were commonly used in bedrooms during the colonial period.
Translations
Translations of the word "highboy" in other languages:
🇵🇹 cômoda alta
🇮🇳 ऊँचा बक्सा
🇩🇪 Hochkommode
🇮🇩 lemari tinggi
🇺🇦 високий комод
🇵🇱 wysoka komoda
🇯🇵 ハイボーイ
🇫🇷 commode haute
🇪🇸 cómoda alta
🇹🇷 yüksek komodin
🇰🇷 하이보이
🇸🇦 خزانة عالية
🇨🇿 vysoký komoda
🇸🇰 vysoká komoda
🇨🇳 高柜
🇸🇮 visoka komoda
🇮🇸 há komóðu
🇰🇿 биік комод
🇬🇪 მაღალი კომოდი
🇦🇿 yüksək komod
🇲🇽 cómoda alta
Etymology
The term 'highboy' originated in the late 17th century, derived from a combination of 'high' and 'boy', where 'boy' referred to a type of cabinet or furniture piece. The design emerged as furniture craftsmen began to elevate traditional lowboy chests by stacking them and adding a decorative top section, creating a tall and elegant form. This furniture style became especially fashionable in colonial America and was often associated with wealth and sophistication. Highboys were commonly made from rich hardwood species such as mahogany, oak, and walnut, showcasing the craftsmanship skills of the period. Throughout the 18th century, highboys became more ornate, reflecting the Rococo and Federal styles, making them prized possessions in both homes and museums.