highly

[ hahy-lee ]

adverb

1. in or to a high degree; extremely:

   highly amusing; highly seasoned food.

2. with high appreciation or praise; admiringly:

   to speak highly of a person.

3. more than adequately; generously:

   a highly paid consultant.

highly

/ ˈhaɪlɪ /

adverb

1. (intensifier)

   highly pleased

   highly disappointed

2. with great approbation or favour

   we spoke highly of it

3. in a high position

   placed highly in class

4. at or for a high price or cost

Word History and Origins

Origin of highly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English heihliche, Old English hēalīce; equivalent to high + -ly

Example Sentences

On Wednesday, FX dropped a longer teaser of the highly anticipated "Alien: Earth" that is giving birth vibes.

From Salon

Despite flashes of brilliance as a rookie and a record-setting career at Ohio State, Dobbins was not a highly coveted commodity on the free-agent market.

From Los Angeles Times

According to their research, the Aleppo pine's highly flammable leaves and cones have increased the risks of fire.

From Salon

The scheme had also been “valued highly by those working in schools”, the report found, with senior leaders saying it had “helped to address the problems of hidden hunger and food insecurity”.

From BBC

Coroner Crispin Oliver concluded it was "highly likely" Mr Morris, who suffered a cardiac arrest, would have survived had available specialist medical treatment been applied in a "timely manner".

From BBC

Related Words

• decidedly
• deeply
• eminently
• exceedingly
• exceptionally
• extraordinarily
• extremely
• greatly
• hugely
• immensely
• profoundly
• really
• remarkably
• so
• strikingly
• supremely
• terribly
• tremendously
• vastly
• very much