highlighter

noun

high·​light·​er ˈhī-ˌlī-tər 

plural highlighters

1

: a cosmetic for making facial features (such as the cheekbones) appear lighter or brighter

To enhance her natural beauty, the former model's complexion is glowing with a light, iridescent highlighter on her cheeks and a clear, glittery gloss on her lips.

—Nicole Saunders

2

: a pen with a broad felt tip and brightly colored transparent ink for marking selected passages in a text

At least 100 publications, from newspapers to scientific journals, come into the building daily, and the editors' scissors and highlighters are never idle.

—Keith Henderson

Examples of highlighter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The app can convert handwriting into typed text, and a virtual highlighter helps with reviewing documents. —PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025

In addition to these Amazon finds, Toye relied on other staples to create Stewart’s radiant look, including a highlighter from Merit, which is a popular brand used on celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Lily Collins, and more. —Nicol Natale, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Fast forward to 2024, the Irish Wish actress shared a sweet photo with her fourth child, Cai, wearing her hair in a chic bun, glowing with pink highlighter and lipstick to match. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 24 Mar. 2025

But the latest launches prove the rules are meant to be broken, with new options for shimmery highlighters for ice queens, soft blushes in a range of textures and contours to sculpt your features. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for highlighter

• exciter
• firefighter
• igniter
• lamplighter
• reciter
• screenwriter
• scriptwriter
• songwriter
• sportswriter
• typewriter
• biter
• brighter

Kids Definition

highlighter

noun

high·​light·​er

: a pen with a broad felt tip and brightly colored transparent ink for marking selected passages in a text