highly
Americanadverb
-
in or to a high degree; extremely.
highly amusing; highly seasoned food.
-
with high appreciation or praise; admiringly.
to speak highly of a person.
-
more than adequately; generously.
a highly paid consultant.
adverb
-
(intensifier)
highly pleased
highly disappointed
-
with great approbation or favour
we spoke highly of it
-
in a high position
placed highly in class
-
at or for a high price or cost
Etymology
Origin of highly
First recorded before 900; Middle English heihliche, Old English hēalīce; equivalent to high + -ly
Explanation
Highly means to a high degree, extremely. A highly dangerous substance is one to stay far away from. If you think very highly of yourself, you give yourself the thumbs up every time you walk by a mirror. Highly comes from the Old English word healice for basically, "honorably," but has also come to mean “very very.” A highly respected writer is one people look up to. A highly regarded politician will probably win an election. Highly also refers to anything that is intense or extreme. A highly flammable chemical can burst into flames easily. The -ly ending is highly common for an adverb.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Investigative journalist Julie K. Brown posted, "Sources for Miami Herald/McClatchy confirm that the Ethics Report is 'highly damaging' — the report could be leaked today."
From Salon • Nov. 15, 2024
“Eleven of the 26 on the list were given the distinction of ‘highly recommended.’
From Washington Times • Jul. 16, 2023
“Many laboratories that offer these tests claim the tests are ‘reliable’ and ‘highly accurate,’ offering ‘peace of mind’ for patients,” the agency wrote, quoting examples The Times published in January.
From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2022
Officials warn of new winter COVID-19 wave with new ‘highly transmissible’ variant.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2021
As for Albert he 'highly appreciated the good-breeding, simplicity, and intelligence, which make it so pleasant and even instructive to talk to them.'
From Queen Victoria by Strachey, Lytton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
