highlight

1 of 2

noun

high·​light ˈhī-ˌlīt 

plural highlights

1

a

: something (such as an event or detail) that is of major significance or special interest

Visiting the Alps was a highlight of their trip to Europe.

b

: a summary of the most significant or interesting parts of something (such as a completed sporting event) presented typically on a television broadcast

—usually plural

watched highlights of the night's games

2

: a spot or area that is lighter than surrounding spots or areas: such as

a

: the lightest part or one of the lightest parts of a painting, drawing, etc.

especially : one that depicts the areas of the subject receiving the greatest amount of illumination

added highlights to the painting

used white pencil for the highlights and charcoal for the shadows

b

: a lighter area of the hair

specifically : such an area created artificially (as through the application of chemical substances)

—usually plural

brown hair with blond highlights

highlight

2 of 2

verb

highlighted; highlighting; highlights

transitive verb

1

: to throw a strong light on

The moon highlighted the tree tops.

Outdoor lighting is an important part of any garden design, providing ambiance and highlighting key features like plants, water features, and walkways.

—East End Taste Magazine (online)

2

a

: to center attention on : emphasize, stress

The speech will highlight the need for education reform.

b

: to constitute a significant or especially interesting part of : to constitute a highlight of

His trip to Italy was highlighted by a visit to the Colosseum.

The defending champion Bulldogs won three events, highlighted by Kowal's record in the 100-meter breaststroke …

—Harvey Araton

3

a

: to mark (text) with or as if with a highlighter (see highlighter sense 2)

Encourage them to keep a journal and to highlight important entries.

—Jessica Schrader

Whenever this pattern reversed itself, the numbers in Table 2 were highlighted in bold print.

—LuAnn Soliah et al.

b

: to cause (something, such as text or an icon) to be displayed in a way that stands out on an electronic screen (as of a computer or smartphone)

highlighted the sentence and deleted it

By clicking on highlighted words, called hot links, you're instantly taken to other Internet sites that offer additional or related information.

—Victoria Von Biel

4

: to add highlights (see highlight entry 1 sense 2b) to (hair)

Jonathan, old enough now that he no longer lets his mom highlight his thick brown hair, plays guitar and likes to shoot hoops with his dad …

—Patrick Rogers, et al.

To add drama to her already highlighted hair, Beyoncé has fine, platinum highlights temporarily bonded to the strands around her face.

—Barb Sgroi

Synonyms

Verb

• accent
• accentuate
• emphasize
• feature
• foreground
• illuminate
• play up
• point (up)
• press
• punctuate
• stress

Examples of highlight in a Sentence

Noun

I missed the game, but I saw the highlights on the evening news.

Verb

Unfortunately, the media insisted upon highlighting his troubled past.

Our trip was highlighted by a great jazz concert we attended.

The students highlighted important vocabulary words in their textbooks.

Important names and dates in each chapter are highlighted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other highlights include a formal dining room, media room, and kitchen outfitted with natural wood cabinetry and an expansive island. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024

What have been the highlights of the last 12 months for you? —Fred Bronson, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

Thus far, O’Connor’s approach to menswear has been a highlight. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

Simply put, the technology allows a projector to redistribute light in such a way as to give movies more range between the brightest highlights in sunny scenes and the deepest black tones in scenes shot in dimmer light. —Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024

Fans will be able to watch highlights, which includes the shows signature five-word acceptances speeches, by following @TheWebbyAwards across Instagram and TikTok. —Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024

Class photos shared from over the years showed Shaylee in second grade, wearing pigtails, and years later, with highlights in her hair. —Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

Here are some highlights of the package: Over $9.5 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). —Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 22 Mar. 2024

And check out some highlights from the discussion below. —Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2024

Verb

Scripps is highlighting recent rights deals that help its ION broadcast network serve up both a Friday-night WNBA showcase as well as Saturday-night doubleheaders from the National Women’s Soccer League. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024

Staley highlighted the significance of having five Black women at the desk for the biggest games in college basketball history, emphasizing their contributions to the sport and their ability to elevate it to new heights. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024

As the trial continued, there were more flashbacks from seasons past, highlighting things Larry has (hilariously) done wrong over the years. —Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

This is part of Off Season Italy, a collection of guides highlighting the year-round appeal of Italy's most popular destinations, courtesy of our favorite local tastemakers. —Maddalena Fossati, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2024

The fact that Stenness is no longer a grand stone circle highlights a misconception about the use of these monuments, says Edmonds. —Dan Falk, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024

Each week, The Arizona Republic highlights a handful of the many pets up for adoption at Valley shelters. —The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024

These incidents, and the toll – with at least five killed in China, and six still missing in Baltimore – have highlighted what experts say is the urgent need to improve or protect old bridges to accommodate larger modern vessels. —Jessie Yeung, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024

Defense attorneys highlight that at this time, the COVID-19 pandemic had prompted the IRS to offer relief and leniency programs to taxpayers facing financial challenges. —Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

highlight

1 of 2 noun

high·​light ˈhī-ˌlīt 

1

: the brightest spot or area (as in a painting or drawing)

2

: something (as an event or detail) that is of major interest

highlight

2 of 2 verb

highlighted; highlighting

1

: to throw a strong light on

2

a

: to center attention on : emphasize

b

: to be a highlight of

3

a

: to mark (text) with a highlighter pen

b

: to cause (as text) to stand out on a computer screen