highlighter

American  

[hahy-lahy-ter] / ˈhaɪˌlaɪ tər /

noun

1. a felt-tip pen with a wide nib for highlighting passages of printed material in a soft, transparent color.

2. a cosmetic powder or cream applied to the face in places where light would naturally hit, as the cheeks, forehead, chin, and center of the nose, to create a glowing effect.

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highlighter British  

/ ˈhaɪˌlaɪtə /

noun

1. a cosmetic cream or powder applied to the face to highlight the cheekbones, eyes, etc

2. a fluorescent felt-tip pen used as a marker to emphasize a section of text without obscuring it

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Etymology

Origin of highlighter

First recorded in 1965–70; highlight + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

I grabbed a highlighter from the bottom of my bag and began sketching a little illustration of the soup, coloring in the carrot chunks with bright orange.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2025

Santos recommends an Estée Lauder foundation and for Gaetz to avoid highlighter altogether.

From Slate • Jan. 12, 2025

“Not only is she from California, she’s from the Bay Area. There’s no purpose to be served for her by putting a yellow highlighter on that. I wouldn’t put him on the road.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2024

Mr. Hoskin recommends printing out bank and credit card statements, and using a highlighter to mark “frivolous” items, representing money you didn’t need to spend.

From New York Times • Jul. 21, 2023

And Chantal is at the edge of her bed with an opened book and a highlighter in her hand.

From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi