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

Most impressively, this $6 steal comes in 48 shades (though those include color-correctors and highlighters) and offers buildable coverage that lasts all day. —Allure, 8 Aug. 2025

All the palettes have a color corrector, two highlighters, and two contour colors. —Megan Decker, Refinery29, 28 July 2025

Her complexion, like her pixie cut, was clean, embellished with touches of pink blush and highlighter. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 18 July 2025

Wendy pulled up to the release party for Janet Jackson’s Damita Jo album in strawberry blonde curls, army green eyeshadow, pink highlighter, and a sheer, glossy lip. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 18 July 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