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

Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell told the magazine that subtle contour and highlighter can create cheek definition without blush at all. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Kardashian's complexion is smoothly sculpted, with high-set, light pink blush and a touch of highlighter on her nose. — Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Nov. 2026

Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell uses subtle contour and highlighter to shape the cheeks without blush, according to ELLE. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

Pair cut-crease glittery gold eyes with a matching two-tone lip and a ton of highlighter. — Michella Oré, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2026

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