highly

adverb

high·​ly ˈhī-lē 

1

: in or to a high place, level, or rank

2

: in or to a high degree or amount

3

: with approval : favorably

Synonyms of highly

• extremely
• very
• incredibly
• terribly
• too
• so
• badly
• severely
• really
• damn
• damned
• intensely
• heavily
• seriously
• most

Examples of highly in a Sentence

She is one of the most highly respected journalists in the country.

though she didn't win, she was highly satisfied with her personal results for the marathon

Recent Examples on the Web

Bodies of those who died of Ebola can be highly contagious and lead to further spread when people prepare them for burial and gather for funerals. —Jean-Yves Kamale, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026

Their diet is highly varied, and they have been known to eat fish, lobsters, birds, turtles, dead animals and even garbage. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026

Burials of Ebola-victims stir anger, frustration The bodies of those who died of Ebola can be highly contagious and lead to further spread when people prepare them for burial and gather for funerals. —CBS News, 24 May 2026

Visibility the rest of tonight will be highly variable, often changing quickly and across short distances. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing highly

• highly strung
• highly superior autobiographical memory

Rhymes for highly

• dryly
• kiley
• shyly
• slyly
• smiley
• wily
• wryly

Kids Definition

highly

adverb

high·​ly ˈhī-lē 

1

: very entry 2 sense 1, extremely

highly pleased

2

: with approval

speaks highly of you