highlight

[ hahy-lahyt ]

verb (used with object)

, high·light·ed, high·light·ing.

1. to emphasize or make prominent:

   The lawsuit against the landlord highlighted the need for a stricter building code.

   Synonyms: feature, underline, accent, stress

2. to mark with a felt-tip highlighter:

   I started highlighting the text (yellow for important ideas, blue for dates and facts), but I'm not sure it was productive in the long run.

3. to create highlights in (a photograph or engraving).
4. to dye (parts of the hair) lighter.
5. to apply makeup to (the face) in places where light would naturally hit, to create a glowing effect:

   After blending the foundation, highlight the cheekbones.

noun

1. Sometimes high light. an important, conspicuous, memorable, or enjoyable event, scene, part, or the like: the highlight of the concert series.

   the highlight of his talk;

   the highlight of the concert series.

2. the area of most intense light on a represented form, as in a painting or photograph.
3. Usually high·lights. a section of hair that has been dyed lighter.

highlight

/ ˈhaɪˌlaɪt /

noun

1. an area of the lightest tone in a painting, drawing, photograph, etc
2. the most exciting or memorable part of an event or period of time
3. often plural a bleached blond streak in the hair

verb

1. painting drawing photog to mark (any brightly illuminated or prominent part of a form or figure) with light tone
2. to bring notice or emphasis to
3. to be the highlight of
4. to produce blond streaks in (the hair) by bleaching

Word History and Origins

Origin of highlight¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; high + light ¹

Example Sentences

Turmoil at 23andMe, and a lawsuit alleging that GEDmatch shares data with Facebook, highlights how far your genetic information could travel without your consent.

From Los Angeles Times

But by exploring other uses of sugar, we can highlight what environmental benefits we are missing out on and help policymakers map a resource-efficient path forward to the industry while improving public health.

From Salon

The highs are most frequently supplied by the film’s magnificent musical numbers, which boast the stellar choreography typical of Chu’s work while highlighting the movie’s meticulous production design and practical set pieces.

From Salon

While Stabenow’s text prioritizes expanding access to federal nutrition programs like SNAP, the bill’s release also highlights the deepening partisan rift over the Farm Bill’s priorities.

From Salon

Constance defended the government's record, highlighting revamped community payback orders, electronic monitoring, home detention curfews and bail and release reforms.

From BBC

Related Words

• accent
• accentuate
• emphasize
• feature
• play up
• point out
• stress

More About Highlight

What does highlight mean?

To highlight something is to emphasize it or make it more prominent, as in Last class, the biology teacher highlighted the material we would need to know for the test.

To highlight also means to mark something on paper with a highlighter. A highlighter is a felt-tipped pen with a soft, translucent color used to mark words and images on a printed page. Many students and readers highlight passages in textbooks and other materials to help them remember the passages better.

A highlight is the best or most prominent part of something. You can often watch the highlights of a sporting event or TV show online. Your study notes might be just the highlights of your teacher’s lectures, and if you keep a journal or diary, you might only record the highlights of your day.

Example: I try to highlight the best members of a community in my stories.

Where does highlight come from?

The first records of the term highlight come from around the 1850s. It is an Americanism that combines high, meaning “strong” or “intense,” and light, meaning “something that gives illumination.”

Photography and beauty have specific meanings for highlight. In photography, a highlight is an area of intense light, used to create a desired effect. To highlight is to create such an area. In beauty, you can add highlights, or areas of lighter color, to your hair by dyeing, or highlighting, these areas. You can also add highlights to your face with the use of a makeup that will lighten the area of your face you apply it to in order to create a glowing effect. This, too, is called highlighting, and the makeup is called a highlighter.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to highlight?

• highlighter (noun)
• highlighting (noun)
• highlighted (adjective, verb)

What are some synonyms for highlight?

• climax
• feature
• emphasize
• stress

What are some words that share a root or word element with highlight?

• high
• light
• highlighter

What are some words that often get used in discussing highlight?

• answer
• color
• hair

How is highlight used in real life?

Highlights of sporting events and TV shows are very common online, making highlight a common word.

⏰ Bizarre scenes at #AFCON2021 as the match between #TeamMali and #TeamTunisia ends with 89:46 on the clock and no stoppage time..

📺 Watch the AFCON highlights here: https://t.co/I7R9xTy5k9. pic.twitter.com/KSKkaO2PYa

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 12, 2022

#Marvel has reminded fans to "stay… to the end" of its movies while highlighting 8 of their most memorable end-credits scenes: https://t.co/LX0InxC9gg pic.twitter.com/eHtnjj9lxi

— MCU – The Direct (@MCU_Direct) January 11, 2022

I understand everybody has a story & motivation, but ESPN doesn’t have to highlight the worst moment that happens in some of these folks lives. Am I tripping?

— Bradley Chubb (@astronaut) April 24, 2020

 

 

Try using highlight!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for highlight?

A. focal point
B. feature
C. dull
D. climax