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 transition does not mean students no longer have to stock up on plastic folders, highlighters and erasers, or that parents are spending less to equip their children for class. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025

Whether searching for full-coverage foundations that will last all day or glitzy highlighters that bring the drama, this makeup line has range. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

From hot pink to neon green, the rainbow of highlighter colors that makes up the line of RIP’s current and future varieties are unusual in the coffee set. —Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

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

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