A high five is a gesture where two people slap their raised palms together to celebrate something good or show excitement. You lift your hand up above your head, and someone else does the same, and you smack your open palms together with a satisfying slap.

High fives happen everywhere: after scoring a goal in soccer, when a friend tells you great news, or when your team wins a close game. Teachers and students exchange high fives for correct answers. Friends high five after pulling off something tricky or fun together. The gesture says “We did it!” or “That was awesome!” without needing any words.

Some people prefer fist bumps, and others go for the classic high five. Either way, both gestures create a quick physical connection that turns individual success into shared celebration. If you leave someone hanging by not completing their attempted high five, you might see disappointment flash across their face, because that moment of connection got missed.