highlight

1 of 2

noun

high·​light ˈhī-ˌlīt 

plural highlights

1

a

: something (such as an event or detail) that is of major significance or special interest

Visiting the Alps was a highlight of their trip to Europe.

b

: a summary of the most significant or interesting parts of something (such as a completed sporting event) presented typically on a television broadcast

—usually plural

watched highlights of the night's games

2

: a spot or area that is lighter than surrounding spots or areas: such as

a

: the lightest part or one of the lightest parts of a painting, drawing, etc.

especially : one that depicts the areas of the subject receiving the greatest amount of illumination

added highlights to the painting

used white pencil for the highlights and charcoal for the shadows

b

: a lighter area of the hair

specifically : such an area created artificially (as through the application of chemical substances)

—usually plural

brown hair with blond highlights

highlight

2 of 2

verb

highlighted; highlighting; highlights

transitive verb

1

: to throw a strong light on

The moon highlighted the tree tops.

Outdoor lighting is an important part of any garden design, providing ambiance and highlighting key features like plants, water features, and walkways.

—East End Taste Magazine (online)

2

a

: to center attention on : emphasize, stress

The speech will highlight the need for education reform.

b

: to constitute a significant or especially interesting part of : to constitute a highlight of

His trip to Italy was highlighted by a visit to the Colosseum.

The defending champion Bulldogs won three events, highlighted by Kowal's record in the 100-meter breaststroke …

—Harvey Araton

3

a

: to mark (text) with or as if with a highlighter (see highlighter sense 2)

Encourage them to keep a journal and to highlight important entries.

—Jessica Schrader

Whenever this pattern reversed itself, the numbers in Table 2 were highlighted in bold print.

—LuAnn Soliah et al.

b

: to cause (something, such as text or an icon) to be displayed in a way that stands out on an electronic screen (as of a computer or smartphone)

highlighted the sentence and deleted it

By clicking on highlighted words, called hot links, you're instantly taken to other Internet sites that offer additional or related information.

—Victoria Von Biel

4

: to add highlights (see highlight entry 1 sense 2b) to (hair)

Jonathan, old enough now that he no longer lets his mom highlight his thick brown hair, plays guitar and likes to shoot hoops with his dad …

—Patrick Rogers, et al.

To add drama to her already highlighted hair, Beyoncé has fine, platinum highlights temporarily bonded to the strands around her face.

—Barb Sgroi

Synonyms

Verb

• accent
• accentuate
• emphasize
• feature
• foreground
• illuminate
• play up
• point (up)
• press
• punctuate
• stress

Examples of highlight in a Sentence

Noun

I missed the game, but I saw the highlights on the evening news.

Verb

Unfortunately, the media insisted upon highlighting his troubled past.

Our trip was highlighted by a great jazz concert we attended.

The students highlighted important vocabulary words in their textbooks.

Important names and dates in each chapter are highlighted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Here are the highlights JPMorgan similarly issued NII guidance that implied a halving of its markets NII, from $2 billion to $1 billion. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024

Trump revisited Kimmel’s months-old joke about him at the Oscars (a highlight of the ceremony), whilst also confusing the comedian for Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2024

The game provided the highlight to Wolfe’s career, with the only touchdown catch. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2024

Here, find all of the fashion highlights from this year’s Milan Design Week. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

If the '82 championship was the highlight of his career, his greatest blow was the '85 series. —CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024

Mobile Compatibility One of the highlights of online poker is being able to enjoy the most epic game on Earth from anywhere, at any time. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024

The food: Bille Brahe and his executive chef, Yuta Kurahashi, 36, served highlights from the new dinner menu family style. —Gisela Williams, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

The song is not only an undeniable concert highlight, but its straightforward directive in the chorus still serves as a useful reminder on tough days. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Verb

Daily Our flagship newsletter highlights the best of The New Yorker, including top stories, fiction, humor, and podcasts. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 20 Apr. 2024

There are too many great lines here to only highlight a few. —David Wysong, The Enquirer, 19 Apr. 2024

The Republican governor of Texas has been sending them by the busload to highlight his grievances with the Biden administration’s immigration policy. —Matt Brown, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

The study’s authors highlighted an array of roadblocks to receiving counseling and medication, including stigma, inconvenience and the fear of losing parental rights. —Emily Baumgaertner, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Another photo shows a flying performer angel wings in front of the picturesque mountain, while more images highlight the newlyweds surrounded by stunning florals by IAMFLOWER, and florist Luuniq. —Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024

Scripps is highlighting recent rights deals that help its ION broadcast network serve up both a Friday-night WNBA showcase as well as Saturday-night doubleheaders from the National Women’s Soccer League. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024

Staley highlighted the significance of having five Black women at the desk for the biggest games in college basketball history, emphasizing their contributions to the sport and their ability to elevate it to new heights. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

highlight

1 of 2 noun

high·​light ˈhī-ˌlīt 

1

: the brightest spot or area (as in a painting or drawing)

2

: something (as an event or detail) that is of major interest

highlight

2 of 2 verb

highlighted; highlighting

1

: to throw a strong light on

2

a

: to center attention on : emphasize

b

: to be a highlight of

3

a

: to mark (text) with a highlighter pen

b

: to cause (as text) to stand out on a computer screen