highlight

American  

[hahy-lahyt] / ˈhaɪˌlaɪt /

verb (used with object)

highlighted, highlighting

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.

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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 highlights a section of hair that has been dyed lighter.

highlight British  

/ 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

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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

Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of highlight

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

Explanation

If you missed the big game, don't worry — you can still catch the highlights on the news. A highlight is the most important or memorable part of something. If you don’t have time to listen to your friend’s long, involved story, you might say, "Just give me the highlights." Highlight can also mean "a lightness or a bright area." If someone puts highlights in their hair, they are adding bright streaks to their hair. When used as a verb, highlight means "to emphasize." You may want to highlight the best grades on a report card while downplaying the lesser ones.

Example Sentences

"These findings highlight a potential dose-dependent safety concern that warrants urgent prospective evaluation to guide prescribing and regulatory policy."

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

In his report Milburn will also highlight the challenges young people face getting into work, concluding that the increase in mental health problems is real.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

PCE inflation figures will likely mark the highlight among economic data due in the coming week as investors increasingly anticipate that the Federal Reserve’s next move will be to raise interest rates.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Was the record-setting throw the highlight of his career?

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Practice ended with a scrimmage—the highlight of the afternoon for the boys.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

Related Words

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