Highflyers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals or entities achieving great success or prominence, often in competitive fields
2. persons exhibiting exceptional talent or performance, especially in sports or business
3. groups or organizations that rise rapidly to a position of influence or acclaim in their respective domains

Etymology: "Highflyers" is the plural of "highflyer," a compound formed from "high" and "flyer," which in its literal sense describes something or someone that flies high. The plural form is the one most readers meet, since the noun is used mostly to describe a group of people who stand out for exceptional talent or performance. The singular "highflyer" follows the same pattern as the older "high-flier" and "high-flying," where the image of a bird or aircraft soaring above the rest carries over into the idea of someone rising far above their peers. The meaning is figurative from the start, which makes the word a straightforward example of a physical image becoming a description of achievement.

Synonyms: overachievers, achievers, winners, go-getters, ambitious individuals

Antonyms: underachievers, failures, losers, mediocrities, slackers