highly

[hahy-lee]

adverb

1. in or to a high degree; extremely.

   highly amusing; highly seasoned food.

2. with high appreciation or praise; admiringly.

   to speak highly of a person.

3. more than adequately; generously.

   a highly paid consultant.

highly

/ ˈhaɪlɪ /

adverb

1. (intensifier)

   highly pleased

   highly disappointed

2. with great approbation or favour

   we spoke highly of it

3. in a high position

   placed highly in class

4. at or for a high price or cost

Word History and Origins

Origin of highly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English heihliche, Old English hēalīce; equivalent to high + -ly

Example Sentences

"This stuff's dangerous... for adults and it's highly dangerous for children," she said.

From BBC

Late on Thursday, the defence department accused two Venezuelan military aircraft of flying near a US vessel in a "highly provocative move designed to interfere with our counter narco-terror operations".

From BBC

Separately, the US firm Electra is taking a different approach to producing highly purified iron from ores.

From BBC

Lord Justice Underhill added that it was "highly desirable" for the government's appeal to be heard "as soon as possible", with a date now set for 25 September.

From BBC

It is now working to restore them in a controlled manner, but this is understood to be a highly complex process.

From BBC

Related Words

• decidedly 
• deeply 
• eminently 
• exceedingly 
• exceptionally 
• extraordinarily www.thesaurus.com
• extremely 
• greatly 
• hugely 
• immensely 
• profoundly 
• really 
• remarkably 
• so 
• strikingly 
• supremely www.thesaurus.com
• terribly 
• tremendously 
• vastly 
• very much www.thesaurus.com