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

In a makeup routine, highlighter acts as a finisher, one of the final touches after everything else is blended. — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

The state is no longer collecting sales tax on nonelectronic school supplies, which includes a long list of items like paper, notebooks, binder, pens, pencils and markers, rules and protractors, glue, highlighters, index cards and scissors. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026

Glossier’s Futuredew caught my attention as an all-in-one hydrating primer, highlighter, and facial serum that delivers a sheer, dewy finish. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026

Drawing pens for the kids, highlighters for those profound poolside page turners, and most crucial of all, a bull-clip of Cambodia's note-heavy Riel. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 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