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high key
1noun
a style of lighting that is bright, even, and produces little contrast between light and dark areas of the scene.
high-key
2[hahy-kee]
adjective
(of a photograph) having chiefly light tones, usually with little tonal contrast (low-key ).
high-key
adjective
(of a photograph, painting, etc) having a predominance of light grey tones or light colours Compare low-key
Word History and Origins
Origin of high-key1
Origin of high-key2
Example Sentences
As the enterprise has taken on huge levels of debt to finance its rapid expansion, a Fitch Ratings subsidiary has warned of high “key man” risk, with the conglomerate so firmly connected to Mr. Adani.
The caption: “High key more comfortable being myself on this app than in my hometown.”
“I’m all for giving back, if that’s what you’re going to do. This … high key degrading though,” another Twitter user posted.
“These fumes got me zeeted high key.”
The finished film premiered Saturday, and the first responses are just as high key, particularly when it comes to Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as the Joker.
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When To Use
In slang, high-key is the opposite of the more commonplace low-key, or "secretive" or "restrained." So something high-key is "intense" and "out in the open." It's often used as an adverb for "very," "really," or "clearly."
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