highly
Americanadverb
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in or to a high degree; extremely.
highly amusing; highly seasoned food.
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with high appreciation or praise; admiringly.
to speak highly of a person.
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more than adequately; generously.
a highly paid consultant.
adverb
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(intensifier)
highly pleased
highly disappointed
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with great approbation or favour
we spoke highly of it
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in a high position
placed highly in class
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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
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.
A spokesperson said the couple had sought to deliver a "highly sustainable home that has been sympathetically designed".
From BBC
This creates a highly efficient system that supports cell protrusion, adhesion and rapid shape changes.
From Science Daily
These topics draw a lot of attention for another reason — they’re highly controversial.
From Salon
He still has the ability; adding that to his know-how and the superb character of a man who was always highly popular with his England team-mates, I would put him in my squad.
From BBC
Monzo, which also pursued a U.S. license but withdrew its application in 2021 after facing regulatory headwinds, didn’t manage to gain a foothold in the highly competitive market.
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.
