highlighter

noun

high·​light·​er ˈhī-ˌlī-tər How to pronounce highlighter (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some black inks also hold up well to a highlighter, while others don’t. PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025 Aside from the faintest splash of blush on her cheeks, Bryant’s base was clean and even-toned; highlighter kissing only the tip of her nose and under her eyes. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025 The Celtics’ 2025-26 City Edition uniforms, unveiled Wednesday, are both a more subdued look that last season’s highlighter-esque offering and a new direction for the storied franchise. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 24 Sep. 2025 The seven-piece lineup features a hero 30-pan palette, two lip kits, a highlighter trio, powder blush trio, mascara, and a devilish hand mirror to admire your artistry. Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for highlighter

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of highlighter was in 1963

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Cite this Entry

“Highlighter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highlighter. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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