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

Example Sentences

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Casey, who chairs the independent commission on adult social care, highlighted the "deep and fundamental divide" between health and social care.

From BBC

The incidents highlight the dangers of flights resuming in the region: since Saturday, airliners have been sharing the skies with thousands of munitions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The other night, social media was rocking with highlights from an exhibition game in the Dominican Republic, between DR’s stacked superteam and the Detroit Tigers.

From The Wall Street Journal

The museum gathers a splendid array of portraits to highlight the many meanings of fashion in the English painter’s work.

From The Wall Street Journal

The idea is right, but it highlights the difference between speculation and investing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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