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

E-commerce product images show a new Nike Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble outfitted with the Neon style’s familiar highlighter-like Air units and lace loops, but with some key updates that make the look more eye-catching than ever. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026

The Running Point actress accentuated her features with an iridescent frosty white and light pink eyeshadow, a dusting of highlighter on her pink cheeks, and a glossy nude lipstick. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026

Friends at her baptism passed the book around and pressed their favorite passages on its tissue-thin pages with highlighters. —Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026

The singer also took a softer approach with her glam, trading her usual babydoll blush and statement eye makeup for cloud lips, frosted highlighter, and natural-looking lashes. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 2 Feb. 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