highlighting

American  

[hahy-lahy-ting] / ˈhaɪˌlaɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. a hair dyeing technique in which dye is applied to parts of the hair for a naturally lighter and contrasting appearance.

2. a makeup application style in which a cosmetic powder or cream is 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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Etymology

Origin of highlighting

First recorded in 1955–60; highlight ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The fund is diversified and has been an excellent performer, highlighting the advantages of a closed-end structure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

“The question is whether it’s commercially viable and/or attractive compared to terrestrial compute,” he added, highlighting that hardware maintenance and launch costs could pose challenges.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

Even since the start of May, while Microsoft advanced on an absolute basis, it failed to keep pace with rival software names on a relative basis, highlighting ongoing leadership concerns.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Consumer confidence improved slightly in May, but remains near lows reached during the 2008 global financial crisis, highlighting the strain facing households as fuel and other costs rise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

My face is relatively clear of makeup, just a bit of highlighting here and there.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins